February 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 2005 Annual Conference will be on 5-7 May in York, hosted by the York Museums Trust.  The theme will centre on trusts, governance, sustainability and commercialism and highlights will include the annual dinner at The Merchant Adventurers’ Hall and an evening tour of the Archbishop’s Palace. Further information: contact Rob Shorland-Ball on 01904 632751.  Page 1
  
  
• AIM has won support for a new and dedicated programme of assistance to independent museums in its membership. The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation has approved a £248,000 grant for the Sustainability Programme for Independent Museums, which aims to help small to medium-sized institutions. Applicants will put forward schemes to help their sustainability, perhaps through a more effective governance structure, informed business and tax planning, enhanced income generation, improved care of core collections or training and development of staff and volunteers.  AIM and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation will be working out details over the next two months.  Page 1.
  
  
• Gift Aid on admissions is to continue until April 2006 when a modified scheme will be introduced, following sustained advocacy by AIM and other heritage organisations when the Government threatened to withdraw the measure.  The new scheme will require an additional donation of at least 10% to be made by visitors for their admission monies to qualify for Gift Aid. AIM and others will be working together to see how this could be introduced in practice.  Page 3.
  
  
• AIM has published the 18th in its FOCUS paper series on Working with Volunteers – an introduction to good practice.  The paper marks 2005 – the Year of the Volunteer and gives practical advice on good practice to museums with volunteers.  Subjects covered include recruitment, task descriptions, training and support, insurance, expenses and health and safety. The paper has been written by Bridget Yates, AIM Council member with the volunteers and small museums portfolio and is available from AIM at a cost of £4.50. Page 5.
  
  
• The highly successful Museum Registration Scheme has been re-launched and re-named ‘Accreditation’ to better reflect its purpose and the achievements of museums which meet its standards.  The highly successful scheme has helped more than 1800 museums to focus on standards and identify areas for further work and development.  The latest phase builds on existing standards which have been revised and updated to reflect people’s increasing expectations of visitor attractions. Greater emphasis is placed on visitor services:  other areas on which clear minimum requirements are demanded are governance and museum management, user services and collections management. Page 11.
  
  
• Museums and heritage organisations fear for the future of the Heritage Lottery Fund following publication of the National Lottery Bill which sets up the Big Lottery Fund.  Although HLF is not directly threatened, there are fears for the level of HLF’s income, currently £15 million a year, and a provision which may mean HLF will not be able to accept new applications. Many museums and heritage organisations have been able to make substantial leaps forward in their development as a result of HLF grants. AIM says this is potentially a ‘big issue’ for museums and heritage and members are urged to contact their MP and other opinion formers to prevent serious damage to HLF. Page 16.
  

Also in this issue 

• Sir Paul McCartney to sponsor The Conservation Awards
• OBE for Professor Victor Middleton for services to tourism
• Independents to be surveyed on recent tax and funding changes
• More money for Renaissance project, but not enough
• Heritage organisations work together on Time and Tide museum
• Adrian Babbidge’s Bottom Line column – Trustee Payments
• Rural Museums Network applies for Subject Specialist Network grant
• Sustaining rural crafts – a new report says they are a big contributor to economy
• Completing Accreditation forms: how AIM is helping smaller museums
• Celebrating Something Special – the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum’s conference on special needs education
• MuseumProfile: The Black Country Living Museum, Dudley

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:  Sam Mullins, AIM chairman - Tel 020 7379 6344.  Fax 020 7565 7250.   Email  samm@ltmuseum.co.uk.  Diana Zeuner, AIM Bulletin editor - Tel/Fax 01243 811364.  Email  heavyhorse@mistral.co.uk.