December Issue 2005

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 over 25 years.

IN THIS ISSUE

• AIM’s free Sustainability Scheme workshops have begun and members taking part have displayed real enthusiasm for the days: some innovative grant requests are expected.  The workshops are being run throughout the UK to help AIM members improve their sustainability and apply for grant aid from the AIM Sustainability Scheme, supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. AIM chairman Bill Ferris stresses that the application process is straightforward and AIM is happy to talk to members about their problems and proposals before they make their bids.  The workshops are being facilitated by Adrian Babbidge and Rosemary Ewles of the Egeria Heritage Consultancy, who made members feel comfortable and were effective at drawing out individual museums’ problems, said Mr Ferris. Further information about the scheme: AIM Administrator, Roger Hornshaw, 02392 587751.  Email aimadmin@museums.org.uk Page 1
  
  
• AIM’s 17th Annual Lecture will be held on 7 February 2006 and will be given by Heritage Lottery Fund director Carole Souter at the Royal United Services Institute, London.  “They’ve done heritage, haven’t they?” is the provocative title for the event, one of AIM’s most popular occasions.  Sponsors of the Lecture for 2006 are Oxford and Leeds-based Development Partners, led by Judy Niner whose clients range from award-winning museums and leading universities to small heritage attractions. Page 3
  
  
• 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 session will 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 3
  
  
• Small independent museums are constantly under threat, from lack of money, jargon and new technology, says Virginia Mayes-Wright, an MDO (Museum Development Officer) working in Herefordshire. Small museums value their independence, which is vital to the communities they serve, but the knowledge gap is widening and to help them their problems must be better understood, she says.  Many museums feel they receive irrelevant and unwanted advice from a duplication of sources, and their disempowerment is compounded by the continually changing approaches to advice and guidance.  However small museums can thrive and museums should never be judged by their size. Some have fully computerised catalogues, others have received substantial HLF funding for building projects. Support networks for smaller museums are functioning well in different parts of the country, but an MDO can only do so much in a 24-hour day . . .    Page 4
  
  
• The National Fairground Collection has finally found a home after years of dashed hopes. The country’s most important fairground artefacts are moving to Dingles Steam Village at Lifton, Devon, following a £175,000 DEFRA Rural Enterprise Scheme grant.  The money will be spent on a new building to house the historic rides and fairground memorabilia built up by the Fairground Heritage Trust (FHT) since the early 1980s. The collection, which has received money from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund has a history of failed attempts to get off the ground. The FHT has now taken over the Steam Village and its owner has become FHT chairman.   The aim is to create a working vintage fairground in which the museum aspect will be as important as the interactive experience.  A further Heritage Lottery Fund bid is planned and it is hoped to open in Spring, 2007.   Page 5
  
  
• A brand and logo for the new Gift Aid on day visits scheme to be introduced in April 2006 has been developed by AGALG (Attractions Gift Aid Liasion Group) of which AIM is a member. Available for free use nationally by all attractions participating in the Gift Aid scheme, the logo can be used for all variations of the scheme, notably the annual membership and +10% options.  The branding, developed by London Zoo and Cravens Advertising, also includes a suggested explanatory text to be used alongside the logo.  Page 16

Also in this issue 

• PRISM Fund’s grants for 2004-05
• Royal Navy Submarine Museum opens is new John Fieldhouse building
• Performance kicks off The Lightbox scheme in Woking
• Building online collections for small museums in Scotland
• Bottom Line: The new Charity SORP
• Black Country Museum celebrates women chainmaker’s victory
• Watch out for plastic ducks – report from the BAFM (British Association of Friends of Museums) conference
• New criteria for Designated museums’ funding
• Tank Museum helps offenders gain qualifications
• MuseumProfile: Hollycombe Steam Collection, Liphook, Hampshire

Plus

Information on AIM’s latest events, AIM’s Trading Survey, the Bob Harding Training Fund Bursaries and FOCUS information papers, and the two-page AIM Directory – 30+ providers of products and services for the museum sector.
Further information contacts:
Roger Hornshaw, AIM Adminstrator Tel 02392 587751 aimadmin@museum.org.uk
Bill Ferris, AIM chairman - Tel 01634 823800  Fax 01634 832801 wferris@chdt.org.uk
Diana Zeuner, AIM Bulletin editor - Tel/Fax 01730 812419  heavyhorse@mistral.co.uk.