Museum of Kent Life
April Issue 2006
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 nearly 30 years. In this Issue
- AIM wants the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to establish a sustainability scheme for small and medium—sized museums, along the lines of its own successful scheme which has just announced the first tranche of grants. In its submission to the current Review of Lottery Funding AIM pinpoints long—term sustainability as perhaps the greatest challenge facing independent museums. AIM's own scheme, developed with the support of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, has been heavily over—subscribed, indicating a strong demand from independent museums in this area.
AIM chairman Bill Ferris and vice chairman Sam Mullins will meet HLF director Carole Souter to discuss the idea this month. AIM makes 10 other points about the future of HLF in its comments, including pressing for revenue funding for projects, keeping a balance between broadening audiences and caring for collections in its grant—giving and raising the limit of the small grants programme to £100,000. Page 1
- AIM's flagship event, the AIM Annual Conference will strive to answer the following question — What does Renaissance do for us? on 4—6 May at the ss Great Britain in Bristol. Renaissance in the Regions and its impact, or lack of it, on small—medium independent museums is an important current subject for discussion and AIM is determined to do what it can to draw down benefits for its members from this major project.
AIM hopes the conference debates will add impetus to its efforts, and an important sessionill focus on the MDO (Museum Development Officer) network. Sponsored for the second year by Continuum Group, as well as a range of museum and heritage service providers, the conference will also address other matters of crucial importance to independents — delivering capital projects, legal issues update, fundraising, Accreditation, catering and functions, charity accounts and the new SORP as well as discovering more about the regeneration of the ss Great Britain following its recent major project.
Other highlights are the annual dinner aboard Brunel's historic ship, an evening cruise through the harbour with supper and a day of visits in Bristol. Training grants are available to help AIM's smaller members take advantage of the event. Page 2
- AIM is delighted with the response by members to its Sustainability Scheme supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. From 36 bids in the first tranche 16 successful applicants have been chosen from across the country, to receive grants totalling £74,740. Projects include shop development, marketing strategies, business plans, mobile storage and school visits increase schemes.
Amounts range from £3,000 to £5,000. A number of Regional Agencies have been so impressed by the scheme they have offered to add project funding to the AIM grants. Most applicants have attended one of the free workshops set up to assist members come to conclusions about which schemes would be best for them. Further information about the scheme: AIM Administrator, Roger Hornshaw, 02392 587751. Email aimadmin@museums.org.uk. Page 3
- AIM urged the Heritage Lottery Fund to celebrate harder its many achievements at the AIM Annual Lecture in London in February, at which HLF director Carole Souter gave the address. AIM vice chairman Sam Mullins said AIM felt the HLF record of achievement was extraordinary and deserved widespread recognition for its support for the heritage. Ms Souter said more than £400 million had been dedicated to opening up collections and improving displays.
Museums had been one of the most successful sectors in attracting funding: over one third of the total went to museums. HLF's spending allocation will dip by one third following new distribution rules coming into effect which will impact on future application take—up, she pointed out. She urged museums to talk to HLF about what they thought the Fund should be supporting, adding that revenue funding assistance was recognised as being an opportunity so far missed by the Fund.
AIM's annual Lecture was this year supported by Development Partners, which has just launched Lift Off, a new ‘off the shelf'; fundraising package to help smaller museums. Page 4
- The first steps towards a national strategy for museums appear to have been taken by the newly—formed Collaborative Working Group (CWG) in February. Brought together by the Department for Culture Media & Sport and MLA as a representative cross section of the museum sector, the group aims to set common goals for museums in the 21st century. A first draft is expected in June, consultation in July and a launch at the Museums Assocation conference in October. AIM chairman, Bill Ferris, is a member of the group. Page 9
- AIM's invaluable series of FOCUS papers giving practical advice on a wide range of subjects can now be offered free of charge to all following a new project in partnership with MLA and its Renaissance in the Regions programme. With financial support from MLA freshly updated versions of most of the papers will be available for downloading from AIM's website.
The first three, covering governing independent museums, using museum consultants and working with volunteers, are already available to download. The project also comes at a time when AIM is redeveloping its website to make it more useful to members and to others interested in the work of independent museums. Page 16
Also in this Issue
- Wedgwood Museum project gets go—ahead
- HLF help for Britain's only complete surviving steam tug
- Bottom Line: Valuing heritage assets in museum accounts
- Significance Scheme for Scotland's non—national museums
- Conservation support for museums in the South West
- Researching for fundraising — how to be successful
- MuseumProfile: The British Schools Museum, Hitchin, Hertfordshire
- National strategy for museums in prospect at last?
- New Gift Aid on day visits scheme starts this month
- Museums link with universities in knowledge transfer projects
