LATEST ISSUE June 2008

AIM is the national body connecting, supporting and representing independent museums

The AIM Bulletin is the main communication channel for the UKs 1000+ independent museums and heritage organisations - half the total provision for the British Isles - which have been in the forefront of the museum movement for 30 years.

IN THIS ISSUE –

·        Museums’ success was like “light on a glitter ball” Adrian Babbidge found in his latest research for AIM – Defining Success for Independent Museums.  As the ball moved into the light opportunities for success arose, before moving back into the shadows for a while.  Yesterday’s success can be transient, he found, with museums constantly needing to innovate to ensure their moments in the sun.  Nearly 150 delegates at the AIM Annual Conference at Historic Dockyard Chatham in May were focused on the recipe for success in independent museums.  AIM chairman, Bill Ferris, had set the scene, highlighting the period of enormous change currently besetting the sector.  “Independents are adaptable and flexible, so may survive best,” he said.  Contributing to the two days were Tristram Besterman, ex-Gulbenkian Prize judge, Matthew Tanner of ss Great Britain, a Gulbenkian Prize winner, and two listed for the Art Fund Prize, Topsham Museum, Devon and The Lightbox, Woking, represented by David Clement and Tamalie Newbery.  Recalling success following high profile TV coverage was Perdita Hunt of the Watts Gallery and recalling consistent success over a 35-year period was Richard Harris of the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum.   Pages 1- 3
·        Defining success for independent museums, Adrian Babbidge of Egeria Heritage Consultancy, undertaking new research for AIM for the third year running, based his findings on statistics of the AIM 50, 50 museums chosen from across AIM’s membership.  He went on to decipher subjective success within two groups, financial and reputational.  Within these were four headings –development, operational, institutional and individual.  He concluded that success came and went.  Elements creating the perception of success were often intangible, and the most successful projects in the eyes of the public were often those with the least robust finances.  Museums needed to distinguish between real, lasting achievement and awards and other short-term benefits.  Recognition often came as a result of an individual’s energy rather than organisational strength.  He produced some fascinating and revealing statistics and the full report will shortly be available via AIM’s website.   Pages 4/5
·        Roy Clare, chief executive of the new “lighter on its feet” MLA (Museums, Libraries & Archives Council) promised a less “quangoesque” future for the sector, but put little flesh on the bones of its major restructure at the AIM Annual Conference.  Putting himself at the mercy of museum people hungry for information following the ‘deconstruction’ of the old MLA, he was happy to admit that the ‘reconstruction’ was still to happen.  Hubs will be expected to take on some tasks, and Renaissance funding would be “better used” but this would take two years to fix.  He praised AIM’s innovation and excellence, and asked: “Where is the instinct to entrepreneurialism that AIM embodies (in the rest of the sector)?”   Accreditation should be reviewed, he added;  the sector’s emphasis changed from measurement of targets to judgement of innovation and excellence; and museums did not need their own service, rather they needed to serve the public.  Page 5
·        STIR – Saving the Industrial Revolution is a new initiative launched by AIM’s president Sir Neil Cossons, aimed at securing a sustainable future for Britain’s preserved industrial archaeological sites, buildings and collections.  Most preserved industrial sites in Britain are in the care of locally-based trusts, often run by volunteers.  Despite their impressive achievements they were vulnerable – to reducing numbers of volunteers, limited finance, inability to run educational programmes etc.  Under the STIR initiative some 30 of the trusts have come together and set up a working group to consider their future.  AIM will provide an “umbrella” organisation as an immediate home for the new movement.  Welcoming the new initiative, AIM chairman Bill Ferris, said the trusts were very similar to the majority of AIM’s membership and their needs and challenges had much in common.  “We hope AIM can help STIR in its effort to provide a higher profile for these organisations and look forward to working together in the future.” Page 7
·        A report into the first phase of AIM’s Sustainability Grant Scheme has “more than achieved its aims” say its independent evaluers.  Jane Weeks and Timothy Mason list the successes of the scheme, designed to increase the sustainability of smaller independent museums.  These included the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the scheme, which has benefited 49 independent museums with more than £200,000; the scheme’s simplicity and its reach into areas untouched by other grant-giving bodies and the significant impact on successful applicants, who describe their grant as an “absolute lifeline.”  The scheme is supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.  Meanwhile the second round of the AIM Conservation Grant Scheme – supported by The Pilgrim Trust - is to benefit another eight AIM members.  The grants have not only enabled the conservation of important items in museums’ collections, but have taken them in new directions, the freshly-restored items leading to new displays and ideas.  Page 8/9
·        The Museum of Kent Life near Maidstone, Kent is to join forces with visitor attraction specialists Continuum, in an attempt to ensure its future financial viability.  A joint company will be formed drawing directors from Continuum and the museum’s trustees to manage the museum, launching the 2009 season with a stronger brand and measures to encourage more visitors.  The move comes after Kent County Council made clear its grant would not continue beyond next year.  The collection will remain the responsibility of the trustees, while the new company will take on education and caring for the collection alongside the running of the visitor attraction.  However, director John Jordan insists: “There will be no pink dinosaurs on the lawn”.  Page 10
·        Burton-on-Trent’s brewing heritage is under threat following the decision in March of Coors Brewers Ltd to close its visitor centre in the town.  Local people reacted furiously to the decision and a campaign was begun to save the former Bass Museum of Brewing.  Following a protest march and petition, Coors has caved in to pressure and promised to help the museum continue, with some funding, providing a suitable sustainable plan for its future can be agreed.  Museums, Libraries & Archives West Midlands is assisting in discussions, which revolve around creating a new trust to operate the project.  The museum will still close on 30 June, but those attempting to save it will have access to the buildings and collection to help refine the plan.   Page 16
 

Also in this issue –

 
·      Historic Dockyard Chatham’s No 3 Slip becomes The BIG Store
·      MDOs to establish new advocacy group?
·      AIM Council members retire – Diane Lees, Bridget Yates, Andrew Holley and Claire Browne
·      East Anglian museum’s transformation to follow HLF award
·      Gift Aid receives Government boost
·      First TopLots 08 auction – 15 May – 15 June
·      MDA re-launches as the Collections Trust
·      Rural films record skills and crafts for today’s audiences
·      Green Start will encourage sustainable tourism
·      Museum Profile: Ramsey Rural Museum, Cambridgeshire
·      Cultural Olympiad – now is the time to get involved
·      Bottom Line: The need to demonstrate ‘public benefit’
 

Plus –

 
Information on AIM’s latest events, AIM’s Sustainability and Conservation Grant Schemes, the Bob Harding Training Grants, FOCUS information papers, and the two-page AIM Directory – 30+ providers of products and services for the museum sector.