1756. Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives & Libraries

Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives & Libraries has launched a temporary website (www.resource.gov.uk) to provide general information about the organisation and links to other relevant sites. A fuller site should be available on-line by the end of the year.

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1757. Museum Registration

Although Phase 2 of the Museum Registration Scheme is complete in the East Midlands, there are still approximately 700 museums in the UK which have yet to complete the process. Resource has commissioned Rosemary Ewles, Secretary of the Committee of Area Museum Councils, and Adrian Babbidge to undertake an efficiency review of the Scheme. The review, to be completed by the end of June, will recommend how the Registration process can be streamlined, as well as inform the development of a wider standards agenda for the museums, archives and libraries sector.

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1758.  Conservation Register

The Conservation Register, formerly administered by the Museums & Galleries Commission (MGC), has been passed to the UK Institute for Conservation (UKIC). All enquiries regarding the register should now be directed to the UKIC. For further information telephone (020) 7721 8246.

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The government has appointed an advisory panel to examine the scale of the illicit trade in art and antiquities. The panel will make its recommendations to the government on ways to combat illicit trade by 30 November 2000. The members of the panel are as follows:

• Professor Norman Palmer; Professor of Commercial Law, University College, London - Chairman

• Dr Peter Addyman; Chairman of the Standing Conference on Portable Antiquities, Director of the York Archaeological Trust

• Dr Robert Anderson; Director of the British Museum

• Anthony Browne; Chairman of the British Art Market Federation

• James Ede; Chairman Designate of the Antiquities Dealers' Association, Director of Charles Ede Ltd, antiquities dealers

• Joanna van der Lande; Associate Director of Bonhams Ltd

• Professor Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn; Director of the MacDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge

• Anna Somers Cocks; Editor, The Art Newspaper

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1760.  The Learning Power of Museums - A Vision for Museum Education

The Department for Culture Media & Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Education & Employment (DfEE) have published The Learning Power of Museums - A Vision for Museum Education. The new policy document sets out how museums, galleries, archives and other cultural bodies can contribute to the learning society. If you have not already received a copy it is available on-line from www.culture.gov.uk or by telephoning (020) 7211 6200.

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1761. Curriculum Navigator for the 24 Hour Museum

Following a grant of £62,000 from the Department for Education & Employment (DfEE) the mda has developed the pilot for a curriculum navigator, a significant new facility to add to the 24 Hour Museum website (www.24hourmuseum.org.uk). Launched at the end of May, the Curriculum Navigator contains a variety of educational resources, including workshops and teachers' packs, and enables users to search for educational material in museums and galleries that is relevant to the National Curriculum.

Fifty museums across the UK took part in the initial pilot project, and the participating museums will be able to add, edit or remove information about their own resources using a web-based interface, allowing them to take control of their individual content. Following evaluation, the project will be extended to include all museums on the 24 Hour Museum

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A series of five seminars has been organised as part of EmmS' education development project, which is funded by the DCMS/MGC Education Challenge Fund. They will take place between September 2000 and January 2001 and will include the following topics:

• how museums can enhance the learning experience and the Curriculum

• developing an education policy by examining best practice

• different ways of delivering education

• developing ideas and activities involving handling real objects

• how to create simple but effective interactives that enhance the education potential of displays

Details regarding dates, venues and speakers will follow in a supplement to the EmmS Training Programme.

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1763. Storage Survey

Libby Finney has recently been visiting and re-assessing those museums that received grant aid from EmmS to implement the recommendations of the surveys she carried out in 1998. Every museum visited has been upgraded by at least one, and in some cases two, categories. We would now like to invite those museums that have implemented those recommendations without our financial support to be re-evaluated. Please note that all the report's recommendations must have been addressed to qualify. To arrange your visit telephone Lesley Colsell on (0115) 985 4534.

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1764. It is with regret...

…that we report the sudden death, on 26 May, of David Downe. Following an Army career, and reaching the rank of Major, David was employed as Administrative Officer of the former Area Museum & Art Gallery Service for the Midlands in 1968. He became its first Director in 1975, and continued in that role to 1981, when it divided into West and East Midlands area museum councils. He was Director of the West Midlands Area Museum Service from 1981 until his retirement in 1990. Thereafter he served as a trustee of the Army Museums Ogilby Trust, retiring only last year.

A talented cartoonist, David was quick to recognise the idiosyncrasies of the museum world, which he portrayed in word and picture with a perceptive, timeless humour. They made his newsletters and annual reports something special, and the `Much Hoarding' series of Christmas cards commissioned by EmmS in the early 1990s have become collectors' items.

David will be sadly missed by his many friends and colleagues in the East Midlands.

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1766. Heritage Open Days 2000

The 7^th annual Heritage Open Days will take place on 16 & 17 September. The event celebrates free public access to the widest range of buildings, both historic and contemporary, and to associated arts and heritage events. The event is co-ordinated by The Civic Trust, and supported by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), English Heritage, The Guardian, the Heritage Lottery Fund, and Warner Holidays. This year's event follows the international theme Europe - a common heritage, which explores issues of regional differences and similarities reaching across national boundaries. The Civic Trust website (www.civictrust.org.uk) contains detailed information about the theme.

As part of a pilot programme, Opening Doors for Community Arts, The Civic Trust are approaching professional and community-based arts groups in Northamptonshire with an invitation to take part in the festivities and utilise the arts to explore the built environment. Any organisations in the county wishing to link-up with local arts groups should contact the co-ordination office.

For details about the event or to receive the official registration form and organiser pack contact the Heritage Open Days Co-ordination Office. Tel: (020) 7930 0914. E-mail: hods@civictrust.org.uk The deadline for event registration is 1 September 2000.

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1767. Carnegie Grants for IT

The next deadlines for the Carnegie Grants for IT are 30 August & 30 December 2000. The grants are intended to encourage the innovation and creative use of IT in Independent museums. Museums must be members of the Association for Independent Museums (AIM), be fully or provisionally registered and have charitable status. Applications should be made in writing only to: The Carnegie UK Trust, Comely Park, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, KY12 7EJ.

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The deadline for the next round of The Clore Foundation Small Grants Programme which funds education work in museums and galleries throughout the UK is 15 September 2000. Applicants are strongly advised to submit their applications well in advance of the closing date. Grants will be awarded and all applicants notified by February 2001. For details contact: The Clore Foundation, Studio 3, Chelsea Manor Studios, Flood Street, London, SW3 5SR. Tel: (020) 7351. Fax: (020) 7351 5308. E-mail: clorefoun@aol.com

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1769.  Forthcoming Events & Seminars

8 July THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILTY OF MUSEUMS - The Institute of Ideas in association with The British Museum has organised this event which will look at Access; the Role of the Curator in Social Inclusion & the National Curriculum; and Repatriation & Cultural Property. Venue: The British Museum Lecture Theatre. Cost: £12 full day, £5 per session. For details contact: Josie Appleton Tel: (020) 7735 4443. E-mail: josie@foxley.demon.com or Claire Fox Tel: (020) 7269 9223. E-mail: clairefox@easynet.co.uk

13-16 July SOCIAL HISTORY CURATORS GROUP - Annual Study Weekend. How do museums represent working life? On Friday there will be an overview of changes in work in the 20^th Century and how these changes are collected by museums. During Saturday the interpretation of work in museums will be discussed, with an opportunity to visit examples in the afternoon. Venue: University College London. Cost: £225.00 (£245.00 non-members) includes accommodation, food, fees and visits/receptions. Two free places are available to members who have never attended an Annual Study Weekend. For details, or to apply for a free place, write, justifying your reasons for a free place to: Robert Rose, c/o Braintree District Museum, The Town Hall Centre, Market Place, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3YG. Tel: (01376) 325266. Fax: (01376) 344345.

12 July WRITING FOR THE WEB IN PLAIN ENGLISH - The Chartered Institute of Marketing. This seminar will explain simple ways to plan your creative web strategy, how to deal with plain English and how to create copy for the Internet. Venue: London. Costs: £335 + VAT. For details contact: The Chartered Institute of Marketing, Moor Hall, Cookham, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 9QH. Tel: (01628) 427200.

26-29 July EVA 2000 CONFERENCE - Electronic Imaging & the Visual Arts. The main aim of the conference is to provide a forum for the user, supplier and scientific research communities to meet and exchange experiences, plans and ideas. Participants will receive up-to-date news on new EC & international cultural initiatives and projects. Venue: Edinburgh. For details contact: EVA Organisers, VASARI UK, 44a Florence Road, Fleet, Hampshire, GU13 9LQ. Tel: (01252) 653049. Fax: (01252) 679386. E-mail: jamesrhemsley@cix.co.uk Internet: www.vasari.co.uk

29 August - 2 September GROUP FOR EDUCATION IN MUSEUMS ANNUAL CONFERENCE Responding to the Challenge of the Learning Age. The conference will look at recent government initiatives and developments within museums concerned with lifelong and informal learning, social inclusion and the development of standards in the delivery of education services. Venue: National Museums & Galleries on Merseyside, Liverpool. Cost: £315. For details contact: Isabel Hughes, Tel: (01962) 844909. E-mail: isabelh@southernmuseums.org.uk

30 August - 7 September  TICCIH 2000 - The International Committee for the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage Millennium Congress. The Congress will be based in South Kensington, London from 30 August - 3 September. There will be major plenary themes and 16 workshop themes as well as study visits to significant sites in east and west London. There is then a choice of three Congress Tours to Cornwall, Wales and Scotland taking place from 3 - 7 September before reconvening in Manchester. For details contact: TICCIH 2000, 42 Devonshire Road, Cambridge, CB1 2BL. Tel: (01223) 323437. Fax: (01223) 460396. E-mail: cc@conferencecontact.co.uk Internet: www.nmsi.ac.uk/researchers/ticcih2000/

10-15 October EUROPEAN MUSEUM FORUM (EMF) WORKSHOP 2000 - The 5^th EMF workshop will focus on the relationship between small and medium-sized museums and their interpretation of a developing European culture. Topics will include: The meaning of Europe and European culture as far as your own museum is concerned; do Europeans think of museums as a focal point for cultural unity and should the average-sized museum be encouraging its visitors to think of themselves as Europeans by emphasising cultural points of contact rather than traditional national divisions. For details contact: Ann Nicholls, EMF, PO Box 913, Bristol, BS99 5ST. Tel: (0117) 923 8897. Fax: (0117) 973 2437. E-mail: EuropeanMuseumForum@compuserve.com Application deadline: 10 July 2000.

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1770.  Congratulations to...

…Anita Hollinshead from Gainsborough Old Hall, who has been appointed Area Museum Officer, based at Cromer Museum, for Norfolk Museums Service.

…Lesley-Anne Mather from Birmingham University Field Archaeology Unit, who has been appointed Archaeologist for Leicestershire Museums, Arts & Records Service.

CUMULATIVE INDEX No 1 (January 1990) - No 129 (June 2000)

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