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Information for Museums

Museums may find the MLA publication "Working with your curatorial Adviser" helpful. Please click on the link below to access.

• www.mla.gov.uk/resources/assets//A/accreditation_curatorial_adviser_pdf_5646.pdf

Responsibilities of the Museum
Curatorial Advisers can only fulfil their role if they have appropriate access to both information and individuals involved in the museum. You must, therefore:

• Seek the Adviser�s advice when preparing the Accreditation application
• Make good use of your Adviser�s subject expertise, knowledge of other museums, awareness of current museum issues and familiarity with sources of advice and information
• Send all papers and minutes of the governing body to your Adviser, whether or not he or she is due to attend a particular meeting
• Inform your Adviser of all dates of governing body meetings well in advance
• Give the Adviser the opportunity at governing body meetings to report on the museum�s progress in achieving or maintaining Accreditation standards, provide general reports on museum issues, or identify agenda items fro future meetings
• Provide access to all aspects of the museum�s work
• Provide a single contact who can be readily available to discuss museum issues

Selecting a Curatorial Adviser

• Step 1 Discuss with SMC initially as progress in this area will be extremely important to the feasibility of a fully completed Accreditation application
  
• Step 2 Consider the type of advice and skills you need from a Curatorial Adviser
  
• Step 3 Approach an Adviser based on the skills and expertise they can offer your museum.  If you need further advice on finding a Curatorial Adviser contact SMC�s Accreditation Manager in the first instance.
  
• Step 4 Once you have agreed the Curatorial Adviser role with an individual this appointment should be formally minuted at a meeting of the governing body.  This minute should be sent to SMC as evidence. 
  
• Step 5 Consider drawing up an agreement between the museum and your Curatorial Adviser. MLA have an example outline on their website. Link below.
  www.mla.gov.uk/resources/assets//A/accreditation_outline_curatorial_doc_5647.doc
• Step 6 Ensure you continue to meet the �Responsibilities of the Museum� criteria

Changes to Curatorial Adviser
There may be occasions when your Curatorial Adviser is required to terminate their role. If at any point you do not have a Curatorial Adviser it is essential that you inform SMC of this situation. Lack of professional Curatorial Advice can affect the museum�s Accredited or Registered status. Similarly, any appointment of a different Curatorial Adviser from the original will require a formal minute to be submitted to SMC.

If you have any enquiries about the information on these pages or require more detailed information on the Museum Accreditation Scheme then please contact the SMC Standards Manager.

 

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