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Introduction
The �Curtain Up�
www.showscotland.com
Let the show begin!
A National Workforce Development Strategy for Scotland�s Museums
Falconer�s Fossils: A Cultural Coordinators Fund Project
Showcase at Perth�s Museums and Galleries
RDCF in Action: three case studies
Museums, Galleries and Tourism
Ancestral Tourism Initiative
Industrial Museums and Ancestral Tourism Mapping Exercise
SMC Main Grants 2006
Case studies: Focus on the Islands
A National Collections Development Strategy for Scotland�s Museums
Accreditation update
Gift Aid Website Launched for Charitable Organisations
Subsidised Museums Association (MA) Membership for Smaller Organisations
craftscotland � an Opportunity for Museums and Galleries
Out and About: Dunkeld Chapter House Museum
SMC Photography Project March and April 2006
SMC is Relocating
April 1, 2006
Welcome to our second issue of SMC�s quarterly magazine, MG:Q.
We have been delighted to receive your comments following the publication of the first issue of the magazine which gave the new format and content the seal of approval. Many thanks to all those who have responded to our invitation for contributions
to this and future issues.
Within this issue we have included guest pieces from not only our members, but also from a selection of partner organisations. There is a focus on the Ancestral Tourism Initiative that is currently underway. Articles from Gillian Harrower, Project Manager of the initiative and Tony Reid from Scottish Roots Consultancy,
who undertook research with
the major industrial museums, explain the relevance and implications of increased Ancestral Tourism to Scotland�s museums.
Also highlighted in this issue are projects funded by the Regional Development Challenge Fund (RDCF). RDCF is funded by the Scottish Executive and administered by SMC, and aims to encourage the development of partnerships at a regional level across local authorities and between museums and other related agencies.
Contributions have come from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scotland and Medicine: Collections and Connections project. Also included is a piece about the �Remember When� project, showing how the larger RDCF projects support and bring added value to smaller projects throughout their regions.
This issue includes a profile of SMC�s Workforce Development Strategy, the third in a suite of four that will form the basis of our work in this area over the next three years. The strategy will be launched in June and highlights that investment in the workforce is central to the success of the Scottish museums sector.
We hope you continue to enjoy MG:Q and that the articles we have included will give you an insight into the background projects that SMC is working on, on behalf of our members.
Finally, if you have any interesting projects you would like to submit for possible inclusion in the summer edition of the magazine, please contact the editorial team � we�d love to hear from you.
Joanne Orr, Director SMC
April 1, 2006
Show Scotland got off to a great start when it was launched at the National Galleries of Scotland in March.
Welcoming the initiative, Joanne Orr, Director of SMC, said: �Show Scotland is about using wonderful museum spaces and their diverse collections for creative events that really capture the public�s imagination. All over the country these weekend events will showcase Scotland�s unique heritage and cultural wealth in new, fantastic and imaginative ways.�
John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland, also backed the events weekend and shared his experiences of similar cultural celebrations in Amsterdam. The National Gallery of Scotland is opening late on Friday 28 April and hosting a �Singles Night� as part of Show Scotland.
Endorsing the weekend, Fergus Waters, Director of the Scottish Mining Museum, said: �Show Scotland is a fantastic opportunity for people to enjoy their heritage in unique ways. It also gives us the opportunity to present our museum and our rich cultural landscape in a new and exciting event.�
The launch was well received by the media and was covered in The Herald, The Scotsman, BBC Radio Scotland, The Courier and The Press and Journal.
April 1, 2006
A brand new website listing all of the museums and galleries participating in Show Scotland 06 was also unveiled at the launch.
The dedicated site has been developed in conjunction with in-kind sponsors Lightmaker.com, who recently built the official J.K. Rowling site.
Visit www.showscotland.com to find out the latest news, learn more about the weekend and to view details of all of the events taking place across Scotland.
April 1, 2006
SMC is delighted to present the inaugural Show Scotland weekend and invites you to join in the fun. Over fifty museums and galleries across Scotland will be celebrating their collections with a series of new and exciting events held over the Bank Holiday Weekend.
Museums and galleries across the country will be �putting on a show� during the weekend with a programme of exciting events designed to use their spaces and their collections in creative ways to capture the public�s imagination.
Some of the events taking place include:
EILEAN SIAR
Comunn Eachdraidh Nis, Isle of Lewis
Friday 28 April & Monday 1 May 9.30am � 3.30pm
Thig�s Faic (Come and See) � open day for schoolchildren.
ARGYLL, THE ISLES, LOCH LOMOND, STIRLING
AND THE TROSSACHS
Inveraray Maritime Museum,
Throughout the weekend Friday 28 April & Monday 1 May
Open weekend including trips on the Vital Spark puffer, live music, traditional fare, storytelling.
AYRSHIRE
Scottish Maritime Museum, Irvine
Friday 28 � Sunday 30 April 10am � 5pm
�Power and Adventure� weekend around the museum�s working models � building, operating and racing model boats, trains, motorbikes and cars
DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY
Dumfries Museum AND Camera Obscura
Friday 28 & Saturday 29 April
�Here Be Dragons� theme of mythical beasts � with a very special guest and a party to welcome him.
SHETLAND
Unst Heritage Trust, Unst, Shetland
Friday 28 � Sunday 30 April 11am � 5pm
Display and activity sessions exploring the history of energy from the transport of peat by ponies to wind turbines.
ORKNEY
Corrigall Farm Museum, Orkney
Sunday 30 April 2.45pm � 5pm
Muckle Supper � a traditional harvest supper with food, drink, live traditional music and a fiddle repair workshop, and dancing traditional Orcadian dances
HIGHLAND
Timespan, Helmsdale, Sutherland
Friday 28 � Sunday 30 April various times
A �golden nugget� treasure hunt, storytelling, creating a storybook and photo-montage at Timespan. Plus a Guided Tour of the Harbour to explore the heritage of the fishing industry in the area
ABERDEEN AND GRAMPIAN
The Tolbooth, Aberdeen
Saturday 29 April 10am � 4pm
A dramatic re-enactment of a 16th century trial � become a juror!
ANGUS AND DUNDEE
Verdant Works, Dundee
Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 April
Live arts performance by Dundee Rep Youth Theatre telling the story of the city�s jute mills in drama and song.
EDINBURGH AND LOTHIANS
National Gallery of Scotland
Friday 28 April 6.30pm � 8.30pm
Singles Night: The Goddess of Love. A special evening for singles in the city to come and meet like-minded people, stroll among the Three Graces and hear short, informal stories about the themes of love in the national collection. Over 18s only, alcohol available.
For a full list of museums and galleries events go to www.showscotland.com
April 1, 2006
SMC will soon launch a vision for workforce development in Scotland with the publication of A National Workforce Development Strategy for Scotland�s Museums.
The strategy is the latest in a suite of four that SMC has developed in consultation with the Scottish museums sector. The National Workforce Development Strategy will govern SMC�s own strategic aims in this area over the next three years and will also underpin and support the work of the other three national strategies (see www.scottishmuseums.org.uk). Its over-riding message is that investment in workforce development is crucial to museums achieving their own aims as well as enabling them to engage with and deliver on government�s cultural, social and economic agendas such as education, tourism and community regeneration.
To achieve these goals requires the participation of everyone in the sector. SMC intends to take a strategic lead by advocating and supporting workforce development for the sector on a national level, ensuring good employment practices, policies and appropriate levels of investment, and at an organisational level, by encouraging members towards good employment practices.
Establishing a learning culture for staff and volunteers alike is at the heart of the strategy and to achieve this ultimate aim, four goals have been identified for development within the sector:
� enhance leadership in all its forms including board development
� support staff through investment in education, skills, and continuing professional/personal development
� development and support of volunteers and volunteer managers
� ensure diversity becomes part of the everyday operation of museums.
The strategy further identifies key areas for work to achieve the establishment of a learning culture:
� leadership and management development
� board development
� education, training and CPD
� volunteer management and development
� diversity.
These areas are explored in greater depth, with the strategy identifying priority areas and giving examples and ideas for action. A one year action plan which will be reviewed and updated annually, will accompany the strategy.
Many thanks to everyone who assisted in the development of this strategy through taking part in interviews, sitting on advisory groups and attending the consultation events carried out across Scotland by SMC.
Details of where and when the National Workforce Development Strategy for Scotland�s Museums is to be launched will be available shortly.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of this strategy further please contact Lissa Duncan on 0131 476 8469 or [email protected]
April 1, 2006
Written by Anne Owen, Museums Officer (Interpretation & Outreach), Moray Council Museums Service
Falconer�s Fossils, a project part funded by SMC through the Cultural Coordinators Fund, invited all 34 children from Dallas Primary School to visit the Falconer Museum in Forres. The children, from Primary 2-7, took part in two activity days. The museum worked with Pamela Diamond, Moray�s Cultural Coordinator, on the project.
The first activity was an orientation day where we introduced the museum and the idea of learning with objects. We explained how fossils formed and about the museum�s founder, Dr Hugh Falconer.
The workshop day involved nine �fossil stations� set up around the museum, each manned by a �friendly fossil helper�. These were museum staff and members and volunteers of the Friends of the Falconer Museum. The children were split into groups and set about identifying the fossils.
Once they had successfully named their fossils, the children were asked to write a caption about them and were invited into the �Fossil Hunter�s Diary Cave� where they talked about their findings. This was filmed and will be used to form the basis of a DVD.
It is planned that both these exercises are used in the redeveloped Falconer Museum (opening February 2007). The DVD will also be used in a loan-box scheme for the wider community.
The Friends of Falconer Museum matched the �500 grant money from SMC, using it to fund buses to transport the children to the museum � a particular barrier to visits for rural schools � and to buy legacy materials and software which will also be used in future outreach/education projects.
Other key outcomes of the day included the use and development of communication, observation, language, measuring and problem solving by the children and the creation of a DVD.
Above all, everybody involved in the workshop, from P2 to OAP, had fantastic fun and we�ve had excellent feedback from the school�s head teacher and everyone involved in the day. The school children and the museum benefited from the visit and it�s certainly something we would like to take part in again.
�Given a clipboard, tape measure and especially a pair of white cotton gloves � pupils became palaeontologists. Magic! A great day and well worth repeating.� Mr Reginald Henderson, �friendly fossil helper�
The Cultural Coordinators Fund was set up to support innovative projects to encourage joint working between museums and schools.
April 1, 2006
Written by Mark Simmons, Principal Officer Natural History, Perth Museum and Art Gallery
In January 2005 we launched �Showcase�, our pilot ICT project giving visitors access to collections data and images.
The project was initially based on one computer terminal within the Museum and Art Gallery and contained 1,500 local historic photographs and 144 artworks by John Duncan Fergusson (1874 � 1961), one of Scotland�s most important 20th century artists. Such was the success of this first pilot that a second �Showcase� terminal was launched in the Fergusson Gallery in December 2005. SMC�s grant funding helped get this initial project off the ground. The project was launched because Perth Museum�s computerised collection could only be accessed by the museum staff and not by the general public.
The collection contains information on 90,000 objects and specimens and is growing each year. We wanted to make collections data available to visitors to the museum and �Showcase� was our chance to build up skills and expertise in this area. We knew that if we could get a small amount of data up and running then we would be able to repeat this for all our collections.
We chose eMuseum by Gallery Systems as the software for the project as it had the flexibility to import data from our existing collections management software and also bring in data from other databases. The information is then delivered to a web browser to enable viewing.
In the first six months of �Showcase� opening, we used a feedback questionnaire to gauge user reactions. The feedback has been particularly positive with comments on everything from the design of the resource to its content. Staff at the museums are delighted to see the terminals in regular use and many users have said they would like more collections information to become available.
In the future we plan greatly expanding the amount of collection data available as part of �Showcase�. In order to take this forward in 2006, a working group has been established. Initially more historic photographs will be added following a clear demand for this from users. In addition, there are plans to put �Showcase� on the museums website, which will be a major step forward.
Museum visitors� comments:
�Brilliant resource, beautifully designed and presented.�
�I saw the house I was born in 52 years ago and the house my granny and grandad lived in!�
April 1, 2006
Remember When...
RDCF projects run by partnerships around the country achieve their aims through working with and supporting many smaller projects.
An example of this is the involvement of the Regional Digital Resource Development Team (RDRDT) with the Edinburgh-based �Remember When� project. RDRDT is an RDCF project run by the East of Scotland Museums Partnership, formed to maximise the use and effectiveness of digital technology in the members� museums. Each partner had identified needs that could not be met by their current resources. By pooling their existing equipment and knowledge and investing in further development these gaps are being filled, ensuring the East of Scotland has a comprehensive technological resource.
�Remember When� is a partnership between the City of Edinburgh Museums and the Living Memory Association, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project is using RDRDT�s digital resource with its forthcoming Rainbow City Exhibition � a new social history exhibition celebrating the histories and achievements of Edinburgh�s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LBGT) communities.
The RDRDT is providing technical help and essential software enabling the development of a website to accompany and be a lasting legacy of the exhibition.
The �Rainbow City� website will contain images, memories and virtual tours of the exhibition and history walks relating to the history of Edinburgh�s LBGT communities. In addition, transcripts from the �Remember When� oral history project, comprising over 100 interviews, will be available. Visitors to the site will be able to submit further material and it is hoped that the website will continue to develop, providing an inclusive and all-encompassing social history resource.
Helen Clark, Special Projects Manager of the �Remember When� project for the City of Edinburgh Museums commented:
�The RDRDT has been invaluable in helping ensure all the hard work and research that has gone into both the �Remember When� project and the Rainbow City exhibition will not be lost.�
�With the help of the Scottish Museums Council, through the RDCF, museums throughout the East of Scotland will be able to develop and produce high-quality digital resources.�
The Rainbow City exhibition will be at Edinburgh�s City Art Centre from 6 May � 9 July 2006.
The �Remember When� website can be found at www.rememberwhen.org.uk
Scotland and Medicine: Collections and Connections
Written by Dawn Kemp, Director of Heritage at Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
�Scotland and Medicine: Collections and Connections� aims to promote medical collections and health connections in Scottish museums to local, national and international audiences. Although working Scotland-wide, it aims to build strong regional working groups between museums.
The project is led by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. It has been formed round four main strands:
Since the project began the team has produced a regional leaflet � �Edinburgh: City of Medicine�, which secured over �10,500 of additional funding from the City of Edinburgh Council and Elsevier PLC, and we have launched a website at www.scotlandandmedicine.com
Our greatest achievement has been the launch of the largest ever museum partnership touring exhibition �Anatomy Acts�. This will showcase rare Scottish medical collections, with new commissioned works from contemporary artists and poets. To complement the exhibition we are running a programme of related events including talks, workshops and walking tours.
More than 15 organisations have been involved in the exhibition and the process has created strong regional and national partnerships. The RDCF has enabled �Anatomy Acts� and Scotland and Medicine to highlight the treasures available to the public all year round and to inspire and encourage innovative ways to use collections. The exhibition will be evaluated to gauge the opinion of the visitors and the views of the lenders and contributors. From this we will produce a manual of best practice, for those planning similar projects in future.
Our next major touring exhibition, �Mapping the Mind�, will enable our partners to implement and build on all that has been achieved and learned through �Anatomy Acts�.
�Anatomy Acts� opens at Edinburgh�s City Art Centre on 13 May 2006 before embarking on a Scotland-wide tour. A book �Anatomy Acts: How We Come to Know Ourselves� and www.anatomyacts.co.uk have been produced to accompany the exhibition. For further information visit www.scotlandandmedicine.com
Highlands and Islands Enterprise � Raising Skills Levels in Museums and Heritage
Written by Fiona Dashofsky, Culture and Heritage Officer, HIE
Today�s visitors and tourists expect more than ever before. To remain competitive, businesses, attractions and heritage organisations need to ensure their visitor services are of the highest possible quality.
The Highlands and Islands Enterprise network (HIE) is responsible for economic and community development across a diverse geographical area that covers more than half of Scotland and is home to more than 430,000 people. HIE is active in the tourism sector working with many businesses and organisations to offer training and development opportunities.
The �Skills Building for the Future� programme is a recently-launched initiative, which offers free training for independent museums and heritage associations in the HIE area to raise the level of skills in all areas of their operations. Courses are delivered locally and cover a range of topics from practical skills such as conservation and research to interpretation and visitor management issues.
�Skills Building for the Future� is supported by the Scottish Executive�s Regional Development Challenge Fund and administered by SMC and carried out in partnership between HIE and the six local authorities in the area: The Highland Council; Moray Council; Argyll and Bute Council; Western Isles Council; Shetland Isles Council; and lead partner Orkney Islands Council.
The training offered is being provided through a combination of in-kind provision by regionally based professionals and, where expertise is not immediately available, by bought-in provision from other agencies.
Those attending are being encouraged to build links with other museums and heritage societies, regional businesses and agencies through annual regional networking events. The key aim of the programme is to raise skills levels within the heritage sector and ultimately give an improved visitor experience to both local visitors and tourists.
If you work for a Highlands and Islands museum or heritage organisation and you would like more information on the courses and how to take part, please visit www.heritage-skills.co.uk
April 1, 2006
Written by Carl Watt, Assistant Director (Communications and Programmes), SMC
Museums and galleries have an important role to play in helping Scotland meet the targets set out in the Scottish Executive�s Scotland�s Culture publication and Scottish Tourism: The Next Decade. Indeed there is much synergy between these two strategic publications that heralds new opportunities for the museum and gallery sector to engage more effectively with tourism.
Over the past year, SMC has been strengthening existing links and developing new partnerships between the museum and gallery sector and the tourism sector. We have formed new relationships with VistScotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise which are central to current and future workplans. In March 2005, we held a one day conference �Realising the Potential of Museums and Galleries in Tourism� at the Lighthouse in Glasgow, in partnership with the above mentioned organisations. Over the year we went on to:
To make sure we build on these achievements and continue to find innovative ways of developing the museums and galleries tourism product, SMC looks forward to continued partnership working and support.
SMC thanks the Ancestral Tourism Initiative and Highlands and Islands Enterprise for the articles in this publication.
April 1, 2006
Written by Gillian Harrower, Project Manager, Ancestral Tourism
Interest in researching family roots has grown dramatically recently, largely due to high profile media coverage given to the subject.
Over 50 million people worldwide can claim Scottish ancestry. The market is important as it is �non-competitive� � either you have Scottish ancestry or you don�t! In addition, ancestral tourists spend at least 10% more per day than the average tourist and it is anticipated that the number of ancestral tourists to Scotland could in the future increase up to 800,000 trips annually.
Organisations including VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are working together with the industry, through an industry-led Steering Group, to help businesses capitalise on this market potential.
Museums are a vital part of the ancestral tourism product in Scotland, and many museums are already dealing with enquiries from people researching their family history. SMC has recently been working with a group of Scotland�s major industrial museums to develop a project on ancestral tourism, the results of which can be read in Tony Reid�s article.
SMC has also joined forces with Tourist Board Training Ltd, who deliver ancestral training courses for tourism businesses, to develop a bespoke one-day course for staff in the museums sector. The aim is to enhance the level of customer service museum staff can provide.
Two courses have already taken place in Inverness and Glasgow, and due to high demand a third is planned for late Spring. The course gives an overview of ancestral resources available to museums and helps give staff the confidence to deal effectively with ancestral enquirers. The course gives access to �Ancestral Tourism Welcome�, a new national scheme that has recently been developed by VisitScotland.
We are delighted by the interest from Scotland�s museums in the ancestral tourism initiative and will continue to work with the sector to ensure the growth and development of the opportunities this offers.
April 1, 2006
Written by Tony Reid, Scottish Roots Consultancy
An important part of our ancestors� lives was how they earned their living, which determined quality of life, where they lived, life expectancy and even the occupations of their children.
As a consequence, more ancestral tourists are visiting our industrial museums to get a feel for what their ancestors� lives were like.
This is the background to the �mapping exercise�, jointly funded by Scottish Enterprise and Visit Scotland, undertaken by Scottish Roots Consultancy with SMC involvement. It examined the readiness of our major industrial museums to cope with, and capitalise upon, the ever-increasing volume of ancestral tourism. Those museums that took part all suffered from their unique archival and photographic resources being under-used.
The study concluded additional funding is essential to ensure these opportunities are harnessed. Another related recommendation is that museum funding bodies could examine introducing an �ancestral tourism� criterion in their funding priorities.
The report also championed the increased use of museum web-sites to target ancestral tourists; the encouragement of work-related ancestral research by VisitScotland; an increased accent on �workers� by National Archives of Scotland when considering future projects; the collection of statistics relating to numbers of ancestral tourist visits; and training courses on ancestral tourism to be run for museum personnel, similar to those currently being run by SMC and Tourist Board Training Ltd.
Fact sheets have been prepared for each participating museum to signpost enquirers more effectively to the correct sources of information.
SMC plans to make these fact sheets available to other interested museums in due course. It is hoped that with the implementation of some of these recommendations Scottish museums can make the most of the booming ancestral tourism industry.
The organisations that took part in the study were:
April 1, 2006
In March this year the final recommendations were made on the grants applications received by SMC for the financial year 2006 � 2007. The quality of the applications received this year was very impressive and SMC has awarded a total of over �210,000 to twenty five of its members as main grants.
Proposed projects received covered a diverse range of museum and gallery activities including acquisitions, education events, archives and collections management, ICT, training and further museum projects. Two projects that particularly stood out this year are detailed as case studies opposite. In addition to the Main Grants, SMC also awards four sets of Small Grants awards (those grants of up to �2,000). These are awarded in March, May, August and November every year.
Although no changes have been made to SMC�s two grants programmes this year, substantial work has been carried out on simplifying and improving information on how to apply and �sharpening up� of the presentation of this information through new formats and systems. This included the production of separate guidelines for SMC�s two grant programmes, the Main and Small Grants, help notes on filling in the applications, and information sheets are now available for specific types of project (eg. partnering). To improve efficiency and promote the use of technology, the information is available on www.scottishmuseums.org.uk SMC is happy to send this to members with restricted web access.
A new working group, the Grants Development Group, has also been set up. The group is currently working on developing a frequently asked questions section for the grants and looking at how to standardise, improve and develop monitoring and evaluation of projects.
SMC will also be running a series of workshops designed to assist in content, style and supporting materials for future applications.
If you would like any further information on grants or would like a copy of SMC�s grants leaflet, please contact Beverley Davies on 0131 476 8471 or [email protected] or see SMC�s website.
April 1, 2006
TURAS pilot, Museum nan Eilean, Outer Hebrides
Award: �20,000
Museum nan Eilean plans to create mobile museum resources on a number of key themes that represent the cultural landscape of the Outer Hebrides: Land; People; Sea; and Language.
TURAS � the Gaelic word for journey � will be designed to be a flexible format that will allow the resource to be located in a wide variety of venues throughout the islands.
TURAS will offer Museum nan Eilean an opportunity to promote the cultural resources held in the collections to a wider audience and aims to encourage people of all ages and abilities to learn about their heritage, island landscape and communities.
Looking back: Stanley Cursiter, Orkney Islands Council, Orkney
Award: �20,000
This project will give access to art works currently in storage that are outwith Orkney or in private collections and create opportunities for learning. In addition it aims to form a lasting and rewarding subject-specialist network based on the life and works of Stanley Cursiter.
Stanley Cursiter, an Orcadian himself, was Keeper of the National Galleries of Scotland from 1930 � 1948 and a leading figure in 20th century Scottish art. In addition to an exhibition on his life, the project will produce a book on the subject and hold lectures and workshops as well as wider educational activities.
Strengthening partnership working between the local Education Department and Orkney Museums and Heritage is also seen as a valuable objective.
April 1, 2006
SMC would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the development of the forthcoming National Collections Development Strategy for Scotland�s Museums.
Five priorities emerged from the consultation process which have now been agreed with the Advisory Panel. These will define the issues for exploration in the strategy:
All three of these are supported by the two other priorities, �Working Together� and �Supporting Stewardship�
Work continues at SMC to produce the strategy document and associated action plan, due to be published in autumn 2006. Details about launch workshops and how you can get involved will be published on the website and in future editions of our e-bulletin and MG:Q.
If you have any comments or questions about the strategy contact Gillian Findlay, Collections Development Officer. Tel: 0131 476 8458 Email: [email protected]
April 1, 2006
Congratulations
Last December, East Lothian Council and Perth and Kinross Council became the first two Scottish Local Authorities to gain Accreditation for their museums; whilst The Museum of Lead Mining became the first independent Accredited museum in Scotland. More recently, Glasgow City Council was awarded Accreditation for eight museums, including the Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, in March.
Registration Information Returns (Annual Returns)
All Registered museums will be asked to complete the usual Registration Return this year except those who will be or have been invited to apply for Accreditation in 2006. The returns will be sent out as usual in May with a return date of August.
April 1, 2006
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is hosting a website on behalf of the Attractions Gift Aid Liaison Group containing information for charitable organisations about the new rules on gift aid eligibility.
Under the new rules, Gift Aid can be claimed on donations that are at least 10% more than the standard day ticket price or for donations made for which season tickets are granted. More detailed advice is available from the HM Revenue and Customs site, which is linked to the ZSL site: www.zsl.org
April 1, 2006
The MA, the UK�s professional body for museums and galleries, has recently announced changes to its institutional membership as a result of a review in 2005, with one of the features that the majority of smaller museums will pay less for membership and have an extended range of benefits.
The changes come into effect from 1st April 2006.
For more information about institutional membership, see www.museumsassociation.org
April 1, 2006
Written by James Coutts, Project Manager, craftscotland
A new national initiative to promote the best of contemporary Scottish craft www.craftscotland.org can help create new links between museums and visitors.
Over a year ago we launched www.craftscotland.org an innovative new website launched to provide a national and international showcase for the best of contemporary Scottish craft.
Funded by the Scottish Arts Council, the website creates a vital link between makers, galleries, crafts enthusiasts and potential buyers through a searchable database.This gives every maker and craft outlet in Scotland their own free web space.
The site also provides news and features about makers and their work and information on crafts exhibitions and events. In addition, it creates a �virtual� source of business advice and work opportunities for the 3,000 crafts-based businesses in Scotland.
Since the site�s launch we have received enquiries from galleries, shops, curators, journalists and members of the public across the world. In its first year, when it attracted 147,369 visits, over 8,000 visitors used it to find out about crafts events. The site is currently visited monthly by over 12,000 people.
This provides an important opportunity for Scottish museums, with the site creating another way to communicate with potential visitors. We are interested in craft exhibitions, new craft acquisitions and permanent craft collections as well as your other craft-related activities. By logging on and registering as a venue, or letting us know about your craft exhibitions, you can tap into the thousands of visitors we receive each month.
In addition, we have a large online �makers directory�, which can be used either to source potential contacts for new work to sell in your gallery or shop, or to find exhibitors for exhibitions you may have coming up.
There is also a discussion forum on the website where experiences and ideas can be shared, and a free monthly e-mail list with news about makers and events.
We have already worked with many museums in the past year, but are keen to work with a lot more to explore further possibilities of mutual benefit.
So log on now! www.craftscotland.org
April 1, 2006
Making Archives More Accessible
SMC�s Museum Development Officer, Emma Jane McAdam, visited Dunkeld Chapter House Museum to learn a little about their future plans.
Dunkeld Chapter House Museum, one of SMC�s smaller independent member museums, is currently undertaking an exciting archive development project combining access and learning outcomes with positive implications for collections care. Undertaken by a small, enthusiastic, volunteer-run organisation, the project is ambitious but achievable.
The Friends of Dunkeld Cathedral are responsible for looking after a small Registered museum contained within the Chapter House of the Cathedral and run by the Chapter House Museum Committee. They also look after an extensive archive and map collection relating to the local area, currently housed within a small and potentially damp and drafty room. This is accessed via a narrow winding staircase and has restricted opening hours.
The Museum Committee wishes to make the archive material more accessible to a wider range of people of differing skills, ages and abilities. The opportunity has arisen to make use of a building owned by and adjacent to the Cathedral � the Chanonry Cottage. The Church, working with the Friends and local architects, has been developing ideas for the new building.
The overall aim is to establish a public readingroom, improved storage facilities (allowing more material to be accepted into the collection) and, importantly, to interpret information for the local community and tap into the huge number of people who visit the Cathedral each year.
The Friends have undertaken a collaborative approach to the project, observing how their material could complement that of other local holders of archive material. In addition, interpretation themes are being developed and a questionnaire is being drafted to identify those who do not currently visit in order to encourage them to do so. The move also provides an ideal opportunity to improve storage and environmental conditions, with purpose built shelving and environmental controls planned.
Although the Committee is still at the early stages of development, they are becoming aware of the opportunities for strategic alignment with, for example, the objectives of SMC�s Learning and Access Strategy. They are confident that
their ultimate vision will be achieved: to establish a pleasant, informal research and archive space where archive and museum material is preserved and users of all ages and abilities can learn more about the Cathedral, its history and the fascinating past and people of Dunkeld.
April 1, 2006
A need for a stock of high-quality professional photographs of member museums and activities was recently identified within SMC. The aim of this project was to collect a representative sample of images from SMC�s members, capturing their buildings, services, people and activities in order to illustrate how diverse and exciting the museums sector is in Scotland. The photographs will also enable SMC to promote members to the general public.
To ensure a good mix of photography was collected, SMC commissioned a professional photographer to travel around a selection of member museums throughout the country. The chosen photographer was Douglas Robertson, a very experienced theatre, museum and creative arts photographer who has worked for the National Museums of Scotland and the Scottish Arts Council in the past. He is also the official photographer of the Edinburgh International Festival.
Douglas started the project, and his journey, on Thursday 2 March and after a few weeks of intrepid adventuring encountering snow, fog, rain, a lost mobile phone and a broken motorbike, provided SMC with a huge number of really inspiring images from the museums he visited.
�It�s been a really fantastic project to work on,� Douglas said. �I never knew Scotland had so many fascinating museums with such a diverse mix of collections. I have been made to feel really welcome by the museums I have visited and have clocked up a few miles on my bike in the process! I�ve really caught the museum bug and will definitely be visiting far more in the future.�
These images will now form the basis of a central �image library�. It is important, however, that this library is as comprehensive as possible. Therefore, if Douglas was unable to reach your museum on his travels, SMC would love to receive a selection of images from you.
To find out more, please contact Sarah Burry-Hayes on 0131 476 8465 or [email protected]
April 1, 2006
On 29 May, SMC will be moving to McDonald Road, Edinburgh. Full details of the move, with new postal address andphone numbers, will follow.
