Museum of Kent Life
February Issue 2001
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 20 years.IN THIS ISSUE
- Three major events are planned by AIM for the beginning of 2001 -
- The annual AIM Lecture will be given by the director of the National Portrait Gallery, Charles Saumarez Smith at Sotheby’s Main Galleries in New Bond Street, London on 7 March. A popular event in the museum sector’s calendar, the occasion has sparked controversy and stimulated eager debate in the past!
- AIM’s ‘Coalface’ Seminar at the museum sector’s principal showcase, the Museums & Heritage Show, also on 7 March will focus on key issues for museums - the state of the visitor market, self-audit and benchmarking, the pursuit of quality assurance and small museums within the national pattern of museum provision.
- AIM’s 24th Annual Conference on 10-12 May focuses on collaboration. Crossing Boundaries - New Ways of Working for Museums will highlight a range of exciting projects where museums have successfully linked with others to achieve a high profile for our cultural heritage. Based at the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum, near Chichester, West Sussex, the conference also includes a study day of visits to museums and heritage projects in the South Downs. Dr Stuart Davies, head of strategy and planning at Resource, the Council for Museums Archives and Libraries will give the conference address. Page 3 and 12.
- AIM is seeking the establishment of a £100 million stabilisation fund to sustain regional museums across the UK, Funding could be released on three-year programmes tied to particular objectives. Independent museums are a vital part of the regional museum pattern, caring for significant areas of the “dispersed national collection”. The funding dearth is a crisis “bubbling not too far beneath the surface,” says AIM chairman Sam Mullins. Meanwhile Culture secretary Chris Smith has thrown his weight behind a review of regional museums to highlight their needs. The disparate parts of the museum sector have got together to back the move, which could unlock fresh funding in the future. Page 1,2 and 5.
- AIM members met in Henley-on-Thames to debate the current difficult economic climate for independent museums and, ever the optimists, showed determination in the face of adversity. Increasing competition from a variety of sources is making independents work harder and harder to keep a share of the leisure market. AIM's own survey shows a fall in museum visiting on 1999. Holding events, discounting and other measures were having only a small effect on the overall pattern. Independent museum people usually bring rabbits out of hats. Watch this space. Page 7.
Also in this issue
- Brooklands launches appeal after floodwater damage
- Winstan Bond argues that independent museums of the future will remain independent-minded, but need to adapt their funding strategies to cope with the more competitive age
- Christopher Zeuner - obituary
- AIM EdWeb Project goes online
- AIM’s case for the purchase grant funds
- Cheap travel for charities on Virgin Trains
- Website development for small museums with limited funds
- The latest volunteer study
