Museum of Kent Life
AIM BULLETIN JUNE 2006
IN THIS ISSUE -
AIM Annual Conference. AIM staked its claim to a bigger slice of the cake at its annual conference in May, hosted by ss Great Britain, Bristol. With the Renaissance in the Regions programme, administered by MLA, the Council for Museums, Libraries & Archives, under the microscope, three new initiatives were highlighted. New research commissioned by AIM into the effect of Renaissance on independent museums was presented to delegates, and a powerful duo of networking sessions planned. One will link Museum Development Officers nationwide and focus on the needs of small museums. The other will bring together independent museums within the hubs and those who have Designated collections with AIM Council at a special meeting. MLA chief executive Chris Batt promised "a programme of transformation" within Renaissance following criticism from some independents who have yet to see the expected benefits of the scheme cascade in their direction. But as "the only game in town," AIM vice chairman Sam Mullins said it was vital for independents to align their support with it and work to achieve greater advantages. It was time for Renaissance to engage properly with smaller museums.
The British Engineerium at Hove, East Sussex has been saved from closure at the last minute by a Brighton entrepreneur. Mike Holland, a property developer, who three weeks ago saved an independent school from closure, says it is an absolute disgrace that such a project should find itself in the Engineerium's position. He is thought to have put together a £3 million plus package, covering the £2 million buildings and the collection of steam engines and engineering artefacts valued at £1.2 million. The rescue was announced at the start of the auction of the collection in the historic Victorian pumping station, where 500 people from all over the world had gathered. The brainchild of Dr Jonathan Minns, an expert in mechanical antiquities, the museum has spawned 28 museums' of technology all over the world. Alongside the museum a permanent staff built an international reputation for their work on mechanical artefacts, young people were inspired to train as engineers and children encouraged to explore engines and mechanics. But Dr Minns' own health and the difficulty of sourcing adequate finance brought about its closure. Mr Holland plans to spend £500,000 on revamping the museum, adding arestaurant and broadening the museum's remit to cover the history of Brighton and Hove
AIM Annual Conference.'
Middle-sized independent museums have been identified as those least likely to benefit from Renaissance, while many independents feel sidelined and excluded from the programme. But as the new structure beds down the first signs of positive impact are beginning to be felt. These are the findings of new research Renaissance in the Regions and independent Museums, commissioned by AIM from an independent observer, Adrian Babbidge, of the Egeria Heritage Consultancy. Of the Renaissance money available 23% went to independent museums, it shows. Museums taking part in the survey revealed their perceptions of the project, including poor communication, lack of transparency, and a 'them and us' attitude, although there were signs that the project was at last having an impact on smaller museums. The research threw up the question - Is Renaissance to be treated as a transformational process or as a short-term initiative to be exploited?
AIM Annual Conference. Investing in independent museums is a good deal for the taxpayer, said AIM president Sir Neil Cossons, chairman of English Heritage, at the AIM annual dinner aboard the ss Great Britain. Independent museums had their roots in a less "risk-averse" time when their determination had ensured "unfashionable" subjects such as industrial heritage were rescued from obscurity. Their methods were emulated by others in the museum profession and yet they had been "side-lined" in current funding arrangements embodied in Renaissance and other programmes. AIM was "in fine fettle", he said and he was certain that independents would regain their place in the corridors of power.
AIM Annual Conference. AIM is to hold a one-day national networking session for Museum Development Officers to bring the disparate group closer together and focus on nationwide issues for smaller museums. Asking Is an MDO network the best thing since sliced bread? conference speakers presented their answers, with one suggesting that the bread was no use without the toaster, demonstrating the need for a more cohesive network if they were to capitalise on their many successes countrywide. The fragility of their funding was highlighted by one MDO who had just lost her job, begging the question - who should finance them, Renaissance, hub museums, regional museum services or local authorities?
The first case studies of the successful applicants in AIM's Sustainability Scheme, supported by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, are included in this issue. Papplewick Pumping Station, Dacorum Heritage Trust, The Army Medical Services Museum, Hollycombe Steam Collection and Dorset County Museum are featured. Other grant winners will be included in future issues. All have benefited to the tune of some £5,000 for various projects to help them become more sustainable, including audience development, mobile storage, shop development, and marketing projects.
Museums operating the new Gift Aid arrangements report a successful start to their schemes, introduced in April. Most are operating the annual membership version while others have opted for the '+10%' scheme. They all report a steady interest in the scheme from visitors, in some cases an improved interest, with very little difficulty at front desks. One museum felt that visitors are now much more knowledgeable about the use of Gift Aid, and are keen to help the charity they have come to visit.
Also in this issue -
Working group on a future national strategy for museums discusses how to `value' them
Royal patron for major new cultural project at Chatham Historic Dockyard
River & Rowing Museum's educational project wins national award
Designated museums receive £3 million boost
AIM's Bob Harding Training Fund distributes £32,000 over 18 years
Museum Profile: The Museum of Knots & Sailors' Ropework
Rural Museums Network sets up potato-themed venture for its Building Relevance project
Plus -
Information on ATM's latest events, the Bob Harding Training Fund Bursaries, FOCUS information papers, and the two page AIM Directory - 30+ providers of products and services for the museum sector.
IN THIS ISSUE -
AIM Annual Conference. AIM staked its claim to a bigger slice of the cake at its annual conference in May, hosted by ss Great Britain, Bristol. With the Renaissance in the Regions programme, administered by MLA, the Council for Museums, Libraries & Archives, under the microscope, three new initiatives were highlighted. New research commissioned by AIM into the effect of Renaissance on independent museums was presented to delegates, and a powerful duo of networking sessions planned. One will link Museum Development Officers nationwide and focus on the needs of small museums. The other will bring together independent museums within the hubs and those who have Designated collections with AIM Council at a special meeting. MLA chief executive Chris Batt promised "a programme of transformation" within Renaissance following criticism from some independents who have yet to see the expected benefits of the scheme cascade in their direction. But as "the only game in town," AIM vice chairman Sam Mullins said it was vital for independents to align their support with it and work to achieve greater advantages. It was time for Renaissance to engage properly with smaller museums.
The British Engineerium at Hove, East Sussex has been saved from closure at the last minute by a Brighton entrepreneur. Mike Holland, a property developer, who three weeks ago saved an independent school from closure, says it is an absolute disgrace that such a project should find itself in the Engineerium's position. He is thought to have put together a £3 million plus package, covering the £2 million buildings and the collection of steam engines and engineering artefacts valued at £1.2 million. The rescue was announced at the start of the auction of the collection in the historic Victorian pumping station, where 500 people from all over the world had gathered. The brainchild of Dr Jonathan Minns, an expert in mechanical antiquities, the museum has spawned 28 museums' of technology all over the world. Alongside the museum a permanent staff built an international reputation for their work on mechanical artefacts, young people were inspired to train as engineers and children encouraged to explore engines and mechanics. But Dr Minns' own health and the difficulty of sourcing adequate finance brought about its closure. Mr Holland plans to spend £500,000 on revamping the museum, adding arestaurant and broadening the museum's remit to cover the history of Brighton and Hove
AIM Annual Conference.'
Middle-sized independent museums have been identified as those least likely to benefit from Renaissance, while many independents feel sidelined and excluded from the programme. But as the new structure beds down the first signs of positive impact are beginning to be felt. These are the findings of new research Renaissance in the Regions and independent Museums, commissioned by AIM from an independent observer, Adrian Babbidge, of the Egeria Heritage Consultancy. Of the Renaissance money available 23% went to independent museums, it shows. Museums taking part in the survey revealed their perceptions of the project, including poor communication, lack of transparency, and a 'them and us' attitude, although there were signs that the project was at last having an impact on smaller museums. The research threw up the question - Is Renaissance to be treated as a transformational process or as a short-term initiative to be exploited?
AIM Annual Conference. Investing in independent museums is a good deal for the taxpayer, said AIM president Sir Neil Cossons, chairman of English Heritage, at the AIM annual dinner aboard the ss Great Britain. Independent museums had their roots in a less "risk-averse" time when their determination had ensured "unfashionable" subjects such as industrial heritage were rescued from obscurity. Their methods were emulated by others in the museum profession and yet they had been "side-lined" in current funding arrangements embodied in Renaissance and other programmes. AIM was "in fine fettle", he said and he was certain that independents would regain their place in the corridors of power.
AIM Annual Conference. AIM is to hold a one-day national networking session for Museum Development Officers to bring the disparate group closer together and focus on nationwide issues for smaller museums. Asking Is an MDO network the best thing since sliced bread? conference speakers presented their answers, with one suggesting that the bread was no use without the toaster, demonstrating the need for a more cohesive network if they were to capitalise on their many successes countrywide. The fragility of their funding was highlighted by one MDO who had just lost her job, begging the question - who should finance them, Renaissance, hub museums, regional museum services or local authorities?
The first case studies of the successful applicants in AIM's Sustainability Scheme, supported by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, are included in this issue. Papplewick Pumping Station, Dacorum Heritage Trust, The Army Medical Services Museum, Hollycombe Steam Collection and Dorset County Museum are featured. Other grant winners will be included in future issues. All have benefited to the tune of some £5,000 for various projects to help them become more sustainable, including audience development, mobile storage, shop development, and marketing projects.
Museums operating the new Gift Aid arrangements report a successful start to their schemes, introduced in April. Most are operating the annual membership version while others have opted for the '+10%' scheme. They all report a steady interest in the scheme from visitors, in some cases an improved interest, with very little difficulty at front desks. One museum felt that visitors are now much more knowledgeable about the use of Gift Aid, and are keen to help the charity they have come to visit.
Also in this issue -
Working group on a future national strategy for museums discusses how to `value' them
Royal patron for major new cultural project at Chatham Historic Dockyard
River & Rowing Museum's educational project wins national award
Designated museums receive £3 million boost
AIM's Bob Harding Training Fund distributes £32,000 over 18 years
Museum Profile: The Museum of Knots & Sailors' Ropework
Rural Museums Network sets up potato-themed venture for its Building Relevance project
Plus -
Information on ATM's latest events, the Bob Harding Training Fund Bursaries, FOCUS information papers, and the two page AIM Directory - 30+ providers of products and services for the museum sector.
