AVAILABLE ON-LINE AT www.emms.org.uk

No 141                                                                           June 2001

1980.  New Body for Libraries, Archives and Museums in the East Midlands

Agreement has been reached between the East Midlands Regional Archives Council (EMRAC), the East Midlands Regional Library System (EMRLS) and EmmS to constitute a new cross-sectoral regional agency for the three sectors, which it is proposed will begin work on 1 April 2002. This will take forward the regional agenda for Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries, as well as develop and broker the implementation of strategies and priorities for the three sectors in the East Midlands.

EMRAC, EMRLS and EmmS have been working with Resource to develop a Business Plan for the new agency, which is expected to be completed by 1 July 2001, when it will be submitted to Resource. Following a review by an external consultant, Resource has already announced that it will be prepared to provide substantial additional funding for new single regional agencies such as that proposed for the East Midlands, as well as assistance with costs incurred in making the transition to the new arrangements. The consultant’s report can be found online at www.resource.gov.uk/information/regagy.pdf

While it is not proposed that EmmS should be wound up as part of this process, one of the implications of the change is that Resource will cease to provide core funding for its operations from next year. Discussions have already taken place with key partners in the region about EmmS' future role - if any. The options that have been identified will inform its Board when it comes to a view about the organisation's future.

Inevitably, the remainder of 2001/2 will be taken up with implementing an exit strategy from current programme areas, or putting in place arrangements for their transfer to the new body. Further announcements will be made in future issues of HOT NEWS.

1981. Changes at the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS)

Following the General Election on 7 June, the ministerial team at DCMS has been completely replaced.

• Chris Smith, who had been Secretary of State since 1992, has been replaced by Tessa Jowell, the MP for Dulwich and West Norwood since 1992, who began her career in psychiatric social work. She held various portfolios as Minister of State at the Department of Education and Employment, and then at the Department of Health before her present appointment.

• Baroness (Tessa) Blackstone replaces Alan Howarth as Minister for the Arts - but at the higher rank of Minister of State. Her responsibilities include the arts, crafts, museums and galleries, libraries, architecture, the historic environment, the Royal Estate and the Government Art Collection. She will also lead on DCMS's interests in European and international matters, information and communications technology, training and education, and will be the Department's spokesperson in the House of Lords. Previously Minister of State at the Department for Education and Employment, she has had an academic career in education, and was a Trustee of the Natural History Museum between 1992 and 1997.

• Richard Caborn, MP for Sheffield Central, and formerly Minister of State at the Departments of Environment, Transport and the Regions, and latterly at Trade & Industry, becomes Minister for Sport at Minister of State level. Dr Kim Howells, MP for Pontypridd, becomes Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for tourism, film and broadcasting having previously held portfolios first at the Department of Education and Employment, and then at the Department of Trade and Industry. His early career was on the Coalfield History project at Swansea University, and he has a special interest in 20th century industrial history.

Following a restructuring of government departments, DCMS has assumed responsibility for gambling, licensing, film and video classification, horseracing and planning for the Queen's Golden Jubilee, previously held at the Home Office.

1982. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)

Thank you to all museums who have returned the FMD forms over the last two months. The information they provide has proved of great benefit in assessing and acting upon the effects of the disease on the museum community nationwide. However, due to the relatively small impact on the museums of the East Midlands, it has been decided only to send a further form to the handful of museums who have expressed concerns during March and April.

1983. Online Education

Resource has published Museum Learning Online, a comprehensive set of guidelines on the creation, application and evaluation of online educational materials in the museum sector. The guidelines incorporate information on the use of existing paper-based education material in the development of online learning resources, research into how the resources are used in a classroom environment and an extensive collection of references to additional case studies and documentation. The guidelines are available from the Resource website at www.resource.gov.uk

1984. Strategic Plans for Action for ICT and for Learning and Access

Resource has published the consultation drafts of its strategic plans for action for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and for Learning and Access. The final strategies will be published in the Autumn. Each registered museum has received a copy of both these documents, and it may also be viewed on the Resource website at www.resource.gov.uk. Further hard copies may be obtained from Sarah Woodward on (020) 7273 1458. Email: sarah.woodward@resource.gov.uk

1985. BBC History Magazine

BBC History Magazine is offering free publicity for museums' temporary exhibitions. They are keen to expand their 'History to go' section, where they list as many historical exhibitions and events as possible, particularly from less well-known museums and galleries. To take advantage of this, the following information should be sent, with accompanying colour transparencies or prints if possible:

• title of exhibition;
• dates and times of opening;
• address, including website and email where relevant;
• telephone number for further information;
• entry costs;
• description of the exhibition.

Please send this information to BBC History Magazine, Room A1004, BBC Worldwide Ltd, 80 Wood Lane, London W12 0TT. Fax: (020) 8433 3292. Email: lucy.bugiel@bbc.co.uk

1986. Association for Science Education

As part of Science Year, which starts in September 2001, the Association for Science Education would like to hear from museums who have events or exhibitions on certain scientific themes that could be included in CD Rom teacher resource packs. If you have an event or exhibition between September 2001 and July 2002 on human diet and health; space and robots; scientific ethics; transport, communications and learning; or science and art/truth/fiction, and would like it publicised, contact: Jenifer Burden, ASE Science Year Project Director, 8 Thornbridge Avenue, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9DN. Tel: (0161) 881 1676. Email: jenifer.burden@scienceyear.com

1987. Swap a Book Day

The National Reading Campaign is launching a major national promotion to mark International Literacy Day 2001, on Friday 7 September. Swap a Book Day is designed to encourage people to talk about books - to anyone, anywhere. The workplace will be a particular focus, but conversations could take place on a bus or train, in a pub, in a shop or in a museum. The National Reading Campaign is working with employers, libraries, arts and educational organisations to spread the idea to as many locations as possible. Swap a Book Day is part of the campaign's adult theme, Time to Read, which began last month. For more information contact Genevieve Clarke, Manager, National Reading Campaign, on (020) 7828 2435. Email: gen.clarke@mcmail.com Website: http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/campaign/timetoread.html

1988. ARTWORKS: National Children's Art Day

National Children's Art Day is a new initiative from the Clore Duffield Foundation to promote art for and by children. The first National Children's Art Day will take place on Thursday 5 July 2001, to coincide with the presentation of the ARTWORKS Awards. It is hoped that on the Day itself and on the weekend following (7 and 8 July) children will encounter, explore and engage with art both in school and out of school, in museums, galleries and artists' studios. It will be a day to inspire and motivate children to understand and enjoy art, as 'viewers' and 'makers', by:

• seeing art in museums and galleries and in their local environment
• meeting artists and finding out about their work
• making art displays in school, at home, and for the wider community to see.

Any museum or gallery interested in holding an activity for National Children's Art Day should contact Zoë Nasatyr, NCAD Co-ordinator, 7 Lyndhurst Gardens, London NW3 5NS. Fax: (020) 7794 4812. Email: info@artday.org.uk

1989. Higher Education Museums, Galleries and Collections Scheme

Over £40 million has been allocated by the Arts and Humanities Research Board (AHRB) through its new core funding scheme for museums and galleries in the higher education sector, following a call for proposals earlier this year (see notice 1928 in the March edition of HOT NEWS). The aim of the scheme is to ensure that collections of major importance are properly maintained, conserved, documented and displayed, and also to introduce funding for a number of institutions that previously received no support. Further information can be found at the AHRB's website, at: www.ahrb.ac.uk/mlg/index

1990. Whitbread Volunteer Action Awards 2001

The Whitbread Volunteer Action Awards are made to individuals, projects or companies that make an outstanding contribution to society through voluntary activity. The Awards cover many categories, but of particular relevance are the East Midlands regional volunteer of the year, the environmental / conservation volunteer of the year, and the volunteer manager of the year. For further information and a nomination form, contact The National Centre for Volunteering, Regents Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, London N1 9RL. Tel: (020)7520 8900. Alternatively, a nomination form can be filled in online at www.volunteering.org.uk/whitbread

1991. Forthcoming Events & Seminars

25 June LEARNING THROUGH THE WEB - Group for Education in Museums. This is an essential day for all involved with developing web-based resources, providing an insight into developing museum learning. Speakers will address issues such as what is meant by online learning, who it is for, and the characteristics of good web learning materials. Through case studies of good practice the day will also investigate opportunities for partnerships and funding projects. Venue: the National Railway Museum, York. Cost (to include lunch): GEM members: £30. Non-members: £40. For further details and to book, contact: Liz Smith, London's Transport Museum, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7BB. Tel: (020) 7379 6344. Fax: (020) 7565 7250. Email: lizs@ltmuseum.co.uk

12-15 July ANNUAL STUDY WEEKEND: SOCIAL INCLUSION AND THE ART OF SOCIAL HISTORY CURATORSHIP - Social History Curator's Group. This weekend provides an opportunity to discover how visual arts and artists can help both interpret and supplement collections. Delegates will meet with curators and hear about their projects which have sought to use the visual arts in exhibition design, social inclusion work and interpretation. Venue: West Midlands. Cost: SHCG members: £175. Non-members: £195. For details contact Catherine Nisbet on (01902) 773601.

19-22 September GEM CONFERENCE 2001 - MUSEUM LEARNING COMES OF AGE. This year's conference includes workshops in a wide range of museums across the capital, showcasing a number of flagship education projects which have been funded over the last two years by DfEE and DCMS. Workshops include museums and the development of literacy, museums and ICT, access and communities, and museums and young children. The conference will also highlight current research into learning in museums backed up by practical workshops looking at innovative planning and programming. Venue: based at the British Museum. Cost: GEM members: £265. Non-members: £296. There are also 10 subsidised places at £165 for those meeting certain criteria. For details contact: Isobel Hughes, National Conference Organiser. Tel: (01962) 844909. Email: isabelh@semuseums.org.uk

1992. Congratulations to…

… The Arkwright Society and Derbyshire County Council, who have jointly been awarded £1,760,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund. This grant represents the first stage of a wide-ranging project to restore and improve the Cromford Mill site, and will fund work on the exterior fabric of buildings, archaeological interpretation and improving visitor services.

1993. Farewell and Best Wishes to…

… Anthony Coulls, Assistant Keeper of Working Life at Snibston Discovery Park, who is leaving to become Curator of Energy at the Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester.

… Anne Clayton, who is leaving her post as Education Officer at the National Tramway Museum to take up an appointment as Education Officer at Sheffield Galleries and Museums Trust.

 

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CUMULATIVE INDEX No 1 (January 1990) - No 141 (June 2001)

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