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

No 2                                                                                         August  2002

EMMS NEWS  August 2002

Welcome to the second edition of EmmS NEWS – our new information and news publication for museums in the East Midlands.  We hope that you found the first edition enjoyable to read and useful – any feedback on the format and content would be welcome, as would articles, news items and information that you feel would be of interest to other museums in the region.  Please send them to:

East Midlands Museums Service
PO Box 7221
Colston Bassett (this line is optional, but it will help the Royal Mail’s Nottingham Sorting Office who seem to have difficulty in locating their own postcodes!)
NOTTINGHAM NG12 3WH

Tel:     01949 81734
Fax:    01949 81859
Email: emms@emms.org.uk

Many thanks to everyone who has registered to receive EmmS NEWS electronically – this will save time and money!  If you have received this copy by post and would be willing to receive it via email in the future, please let me know.

Susan Lansdale
EmmS Network Coordinator

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EmmS Stop Press

Annual General Meeting & Company Meeting – Friday 11 October 2002

Please note the date in your diary for the EmmS Annual General Meeting and bi-annual Company Meeting – to be held at Chesterfield Library, 10.30a.m. to 1.00p.m., followed by lunch.  The theme of the Company Meeting will be Learning, Access & Education – full information and AGM papers will be posted out to all members in mid-September.

Interact Meeting – Monday 16 September 2002

A meeting for freelance education workers and museum education officers at Nottingham Castle Museum & Art Gallery (10.30a.m.-3.00p.m.)  Papers have been circulated to all Interact members.  Anyone not receiving them, but wishing to attend should contact the EmmS Office.

HLF Project – Was your Grandfather a Soldier?

As we enter the third and final year of this project, we welcome Robin Blackburn as the new full-time project worker for Northamptonshire.  Robin will be working on the project from mid-August to early December.  At the same time, we bid farewell to the project workers – Ryan Brown, Karen George, Kathryn Henchcliffe and Clare Middleton - who have been involved over the past two years at four other regimental museums.  We are extremely grateful to them for their efforts and commitment to the project.  The public access systems will be installed at all five museums in December, and piloted in early 2003 prior to an official launch of the project at Easter.  Further details later this year.  Finally, congratulations to Clare Middleton, who has recently been appointed to the post of Collections and Community History Officer at Erewash Museum in Ilkeston.

EmmS Skills Database

Many thanks to those of you who have returned completed Skills Questionnaires.  Over 50 have been received and already demonstrate that an extremely wide range of skills, experience and expertise is available across the region, which EmmS members are willing to share with each other.  This comprehensive databank of information is currently available to members via a telephone call or email/fax query to the EmmS Office.  Our intention is to develop this into an interactive database on the EmmS website (in a restricted MEMBERS’ AREA, along with the EmmS News) over the coming months.

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Members’ News

Lincolnshire’s City & County Museum gets £5.1 million

At a press conference in London the 26 July the Heritage Lottery Fund announced that it was making a grant of £5,141,000 to the City and County Museum Project, almost a year to the day since it granted the project £358,000 of development funding.  The HLF decision is a major breakthrough in the City and County Council’s campaign to secure the funding necessary to build the new £11.9m museum. The City and County Councils are now only waiting for one more decision on £3m of European Regional Development Funding from the Government Office for the East Midlands. If a positive decision is received in the next few months construction will commence early in 2003 and the museum is scheduled to open in 2005.

As well as providing access to Lincolnshire’s rich archaeological and artistic heritage the project has a number of other aims including: the creation of a new programme of temporary exhibitions on a variety of subjects from major museums and galleries throughout the UK and overseas; an inclusive programme of formal and informal learning for people of all ages through partnerships with education providers such as the University of Lincoln; the regeneration of the surrounding area including the creation of new jobs and training opportunities. The museum will also make a major contribution to the leisure and tourism economy of Lincoln and Lincolnshire by linking uphill and downhill areas and acting as a gateway to the built heritage and other attractions in the county. In its first year of operation it is expected to receive 80,000 visitors and to be used as a meeting place and centre of learning by over 70,000 other users. The museum will be jointly operated with the Usher Gallery and will display some of the 2 million, mainly archaeological, objects that are currently in cared for by the County Council. 

The  1:200 scale model of the museum will be on display at the Royal Institute of British Architect’s Gallery in London from 5 to 25 September, before returning to Lincolnshire.
The 3D computer walkthrough of the new museum is now available to: schools throughout Lincolnshire via the Netlinc computer system; library users through the Community Grid for Learning and; internet users through the museum’s web pages on

£300,000 Lottery Grant for the Rutland County Museum

The Heritage Lottery Fund has made an offer of up to £301,500 to Rutland County Council for a dramatic re-orientation and redevelopment of the County Museum (total estimated cost £402,00).  The grant is one of the largest sums awarded to any Rutland project and reflects the importance attached to the museum and its collections.  The project has been supported from the outset by the Friends of Rutland County Museum and the Rutland Local History and Record Society, which have pledged £35,000 and £4,000 respectively.  The new development will greatly improve access and facilities for education, and the displays will be improved and updated to relate the story of Rutland in a more obvious way.  The work is expected to take about eight months and, although some areas will have to be closed at times, the museum will remain open.  Further information from Tim Clough, Curator, telephone 01572 758440.

£250,000 Lottery Grant for North Kesteven District Council

The Heritage Lottery Fund has confirmed a grant of £250,000 to repair and restore the redundant Grade ii listed Navigation House in Sleaford.  As part of a wider regeneration imitative in the area, Navigation House will be used to interpret the history of the building and its wider environment.  Further information from Geoff Wright, telephone 01529 414155 x 2298.

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EMMLAC Update - TIM HOBBS, Chief Executive, writes:

‘Excellent progress is being maintained in the creation of EMMLAC, the new East Midlands Museums, Libraries & Archives Council.   By the time you read this, negotiations on the lease of our offices at 56 King Street, Leicester should have been completed, and we look forward to seeing you all here in the near future, either at one of the training events that we will be putting on, or for meetings with EMMLAC staff.

Meanwhile our Administrative Manager, Julie Robinson, is being kept very busy evaluating and ordering myriad other essentials such as office equipment, furniture, minor modifications to the building, computer systems, a corporate identity and telephones.  She has also been kept extremely busy administering our recent, widely advertised round of staff recruitment.  Nearly 300 copies of the details were sent out, and I can tell you that some very high quality applications have been received.  EMMLAC Board members and I are currently in the process of short-listing for three Policy Officer posts (covering Learning & Access; Funding; and ICT respectively), and we will be interviewing during September.  I hope to be able to give details of the outcome in the next EmmS News. 

We will also be interviewing during September for two archives-related posts.  The first of these is an externally-funded six-month appointment for a Regional Archives Education Officer, whilst the second, a regional Archives Development Officer, will be a permanent post funded by EMMLAC.  Funding which might lead to a similar, museums-focused Development Officer post has recently been announced by RESOURCE, but I have not yet received formal confirmation of the terms of the grant.  When I do so, I hope to be able to advertise in the near future.  I will also be considering how best to ensure that the libraries domain is not left out of this rather piecemeal approach at national level…

The funding stream from which I am hoping to resource the Museums Development Officer post has been ear-marked for the support of non-Hub museums and galleries, and especially the independent and voluntary sectors.  I shall look forward to beginning to tackle the region’s many desiderata in this area!

Let me turn now to another grant announced by RESOURCE in the five months since EMMLAC’s creation, namely Phase 2 of the Museums and Galleries Education Programme (MGEP2).  I wrote about this in the last EmmS News, but here again, I fear that the Government’s PR machine is going rather more rapidly than the reality!  I understand that our (slightly revised) bid for £100K has been approved, but I have not yet received formal confirmation of this, or of the terms of the grant.  I have pointed out that this delay will affect the timing of the programme.  As soon as I can do so, I will give you more details, and information on ho to apply.

Finally, a reminder about ANNUAL REGISTRATION RETURNS.  RESOURCE sent out Annual Returns forms in May, with a July return date.  Museums that have not yet completed the forms and sent them to EMMLAC are urged to do so without delay.  You are reminded that completion of the Annual Returns is a requirement for maintaining registered status.’

EMMLAC - the East Midlands Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
56 King Street, LEICESTER LE1 6RL
Tel:     0116 285 1350            Fax:     0116 285 1351

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RESOURCE News

SWMLAC

South West Museums Libraries and Archives Council, the new single regional agency for the sector serving the south-west of England, officially came into being on 25 July.  Sam Hunt, previously Chief Executive of the South West Museums Council, has been appointed as SWMLAC’s new Chief Executive.  Further information about SWMLAC is available on its website www.swmlac.org.uk

Museum Development Fund

A new fund (£500,000 this year) intended to assist museum development outside the hubs through projects that contribute to the objectives set out in the Renaissance in the Regions report.  The funding will be administered by the Regional Agencies.  One likely use of funding is the establishment of Museum Development Officer posts, whose task will be to support groups of museums with common interests in improving their standards and delivery (see EMMLAC News, above).

Sharing Skills Scheme 2002 - 2003

A pilot scheme of nine secondments (one in each of the English regions) will be run in the year 2002/03.  Open to staff in museums, archives and libraries, it will be based on the Sharing Museum Skills scheme, which was managed by RESOURCE.  The purpose of this scheme is for staff to develop and learn new skills, and to improve the public experience of museums, archives and libraries.   Individual secondments, of three to eight weeks duration, will be eligible for support.  Host organisations can include any kind of museum, archive or library, and activities can include any type of work carried out within the organisation.  Cross-domain secondments will also be considered.  Grants will normally be in the region of £3,000. All secondments must take place within the same region as that from which the individual is applying.

UK Museums Needs Assessment

RESOURCE and the Heritage Lottery Fund have co-produced a comprehensive report on the state of the UK’s museums and galleries.  The findings confirm the views of the Renaissance in the Regions Task Force. 

Cultural Sector Report

It is widely recognised that volunteers play a vital and valuable role in the cultural sector.  The Institute of Volunteering Research has has been commissioned by RESOURCE to carry out a demographic profile of volunteers working with museums, libraries and archives in England.  The information gained and recommendations formulated will facilitate RESOURCE’s future strategy planning and policy decisions. 

Further details about the above news items, and the full Culture Sector Report, can be found at www.resource.gov.uk

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New Websites

Network of European Museum Organisations

NEMO is developing its website with the help of new funding from the European Commission.  NEMO News carries the latest news about initiatives around Europe that will be of interest to museums and professional staff.  Visit www.ne-mo.org

Portal for Museum Professionals

mda has launched a pilot portal for the museum sector.  When it is fully operational, the portal will lead to information on collection and dissemination of standards, experience and opinion relating to collections information management.  The portal can be accessed at www.mda.org.uk

Family Learning Weekend

Organised by the Campaign for Learning, and sponsored by the DfES and the Learning Skills Council, this annual weekend event (11-13 October 2002) is growing each year.  Visit the new website www.familylearningweekend.com for case studies, funding sources and logos to download.  Printed publicity material and a Planning Guide can be ordered by telephone, 0117 966 7755.

Culture Online

Cultural, educational and IT organisations and companies are being sought to help deliver Culture Online - the Government's vision to bring arts and culture into classrooms and homes using digital technology.  Expressions of interest are currently being invited by DCMS from organisations, companies and consortia to produce and deliver elements of the programme. The department currently has £13 million available to fund around 20 to 30 targeted projects over the next two years.  Culture Online will use digital technologies to increase and deepen access to and participation in the arts and culture, linking into Curriculum Online and the National Grid for Learning, both run by the DfES. Online projects might include the resources of museums, galleries and heritage sites, archives of written, broadcast and film materials, the performing arts, oral history and community projects. Those that involve partnerships across organisations and sectors would be particularly welcomed.  Further details are on the Culture Online website www.cultureonline.gov.uk.

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Events, Conferences & Courses

Ceramics Study Day – SODAC Collections Study Day – NEW DATE
12 September 2002 – Nottingham Castle Museum & Art Gallery (Tel: 0115 915 3657)

  Conference – The Prehistoric Archaeology of London
12 September 2002 - Institute of Archaeology, London (Tel: 020 7679 4928)

  Museums Association Conference and Exhibition 2002
16-18 September 2002 – Manchester (Tel: 020 7426 6940)

  Marketplace 2002 – Touring Exhibitions Group
18 September 2002 – National Portrait Gallery, London (Tel: 020 7806 2518)

Building Conservation Masterclasses – West Dean College/English Heritage/Weald & Downland Open Air Museum
September 2002 – February 2003 (3 & 4 day courses). 

Conservation & Restoration of Gilded Ornament
22-25 September 2002, Chichester (Tel: 01243 818294)

Best Practice: Better Friends – BAfM Annual Conference & AGM
27-29 September 2002 – National Museum & Gallery of Wales, Cardiff
(Tel: 01566 782 440)

Cultural Tourism on the Agenda – Campaign for Museum’s Marketing Conference
9 October, Birmingham (Tel: 020 7233 6789)

Family Learning Weekend
11-13 October 2002 – nationwide (Tel: 0117 966 7755) – see ‘New Websites’ above

MODES Training Course Programme – MODES Users Association
October 2002-March 2003 – Derby Industrial Museum (Tel: 01332 291345)

  Delivering Dialogue - BIG Fabricators Week
14-18 October 2002 – Snibston Discovery Park, Leicestershire (Tel: 01603 612612)

Leadership in Museums: Are our Core Values Shifting? – International Council of Museums’ Conference 2002
16-20 October 2002 – Dublin (Tel: 00 353 44 62912)

School for Scanning: Creating, Managing & Preserving Digital Assets – NEDCC
16-18 October 2002, National Library of the Netherlands (Email ghughes@nedcc.org)

The Third Big Draw – The Campaign for Drawing
16-23 October 2002 – nationwide (Tel: 020 8351 1719)

Digitisation of the Visual Image – CILIP
17 October 2002 – Exeter Central Library (Tel: 01392 3844225)

Workshop on Management of Photographic Collections – National Photographic Conservation Studios (Rotterdam)/ European Commission on Preservation & Access
17-23 October 2002 – Amsterdam (Email ecpa@bureau.knaw.nl)

Sharing our Skills – Natural History Museum’s professional programme
October 2002-March 2003 – London  (Tel: 020 7942 5555)

Managing Library & Archive Collections in Historic Houses – NPO Annual Conference
5 November 2002 – BL Conference Centre, London (Tel: 020 7412 7612

Books Connect – National Conference
7 November 2002 – Broadway Media Centre, Nottingham  
(Email: ann.wright@derbyshire.gov.uk)

Murex 2002 – The National Museum Resources Exhibition
26-27 November 2002 – NEC, Birmingham (Tel: 0117 907 1000)

Critical Practice for Museums & Galleries– University of London
20-25 January 2003 -  London; or 28 January –28 April 2003 – distance learning
(Tel: 020 7631 6610)

Making it Happen (The Museums and Heritage Show) 
12 & 13 February 2003, London.   www.museumsandheritage.com

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Awards & Funding News

Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Travelling Fellowships (Your chance of a Lifetime)  

Categories for the 2003 fellowships include ‘Museums and Galleries’.  Closing date 30 October 2002.   www.wcmt.org.uk

The Robert Logan Award 2003 (BAfM)

An award open to young people under the age of 30 (volunteer or paid) involved in the museum and culture sector.  Candidates are invited to write a paper on the theme, Sources of Inspiration.  The winner will have the opportunity to present an outline of the paper as a conference speaker at the BAfM’s 30^th Annual Conference on 18 October 2003 in Leeds.  The prize includes £200 and a free place at the conference (including meals and accommodation).  Closing date for entries, 1 April 2003. Further details from P D J Howitt-Cowan, telephone 01427 612017 or email: kenmare01@hotmail.com

Campaign for Learning’s Reading Families Award Scheme

Grants (average £2,500) available to individuals setting up and running reading projects for families and communities. Further details from the CfL, telephone 0117 966 7755 or visit www.readingfamilies.com

ReDiscover: The Science Centre and Museum Renewal Fund

A new £33 million Renewal Fund supported by the Millennium Commission, the Wellcome Trust and the Wolfson Foundation that aims to secure the future of existing science centres and museums (specifically the updating and renewing of high quality science, education and technology exhibitions).  Application packs and eligibility criteria available in September.  Further details from Debbie Vincent, telephone 020 7611 7347, or visit www.wellcome.ac.uk/rediscover

The Scarman Trust

A national charity supporting ‘can do-ers’ who want to bring about change in their communities and who work to make fundamental life opportunities available to all.   A new East Midlands Office has opened and is currently running a You and Your Community Grant Scheme (tel: 0015 911 9572).  Further details available at www.thescarmantrust.org

East Midlands Arts Funding Flash

A monthly email service alerting arts and cultural organizations to potential sources of funding.  To register for the service, contact Demelza.Guhan@em-arts.co.uk

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REDS Report

The REDS Squad will meet at Derby Industrial Museum on Wednesday 23 October for a Training Day and a site review of the recent fire at the Museum (reported in the last EmmS News). 

  EmmS members covered by the REDS scheme should please note the following contact detail changes changes, and amend the pink sheet in their Handbooks:

Peter Noon – Highnoon@tinyworld.co.uk                                                                        Thomas Cadbury – Thomas.Cadbury@lincolnshire.gov.uk                                               
Fiona Graham – GRAHF001@leicester.gov.uk

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If you have an article or news that may be of interest to other museums in the region, please send it to Susan Lansdale at EmmS, PO Box 7221, Colston Bassett, Nottingham NG12 3WH, telephone 01949 81734, fax 01949 81859, or email emms@emms.org.uk

CUMULATIVE INDEX No 1 (January 1990) - No 147 (December 2001)

plus EmmS News No 1 (June 2002)

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