SMC e-bulletin

SMC Monthly e-bulletin March 2006

Congratulations to all SMC members who were recently awarded a grant to help stage their Show Scotland 06 event. SMC was inundated with applications and is pleased to award 35 small grants to fund a range of exciting events including late night openings, live music and drama, storytelling and re-enactments. Those receiving awards have developed innovative and creative approaches to attracting new audience and showcasing their collections.
An additional �5,000 worth of grants is now available � see http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk  The deadline for applications is 17 March.
To get the most from the campaign and press announcements, register your event online NOW at http://www.showscotland.com
All events submitted will be included on the events listings section of the website.
To access material that has been produced to help you publicise your Show Scotland 06 event, see http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/areas_of_work/showscotland/showscotland_docs.asp
For further information about Show Scotland and to receive the Show Scotland
e-bulletin, contact the Show Scotland team.  T: 0131 229 7465. 
E: [email protected]

SMC is always looking for good digital photographs of Scottish museums, their collections and their staff and visitors. Over the coming year, we will be compiling a library of images at SMC. We plan to use these images in various publications and our website to help illustrate articles and provide a visual impact to help promote the sector.
To start this process off, we will be contacting Registered/Accredited museums in the next few weeks to request good quality digital images of buildings, collections, objects or activities.
A photographer will also be travelling around Scotland visiting various member museums and galleries over the next month and we will be contacting some of you to talk about a potential visit.
Contact SMC ICT Adviser Dylan Edgar.  T: 0131 476 8457. 
E: [email protected]

A recent RDCF panel meeting was pleased to approve the revised business plan for the North East Museums Partnership Regional Development Challenge Fund project. This project will augment and develop the work of the museums sector in the North East of Scotland. It will model, test and deliver the concept of a cultural right of access to the exceptional collections held by the museums in the North East and the stories they tell. The project is being led by Aberdeen City Council and the other key partners are the University of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Council however a range of external partners, particularly from the education and tourism sectors, will be brought into the partnership.

Assistant Director (Information and Learning) Christine Galey left SMC on 17 February after being with us for 7 years. Christine is taking up a freelance career, in which we wish her well.

The National Fund for Acquisitions contributes towards the purchase of objects by Scottish museums, galleries, libraries, record offices and other similar institutions open to the public. The Fund is provided by the Scottish Executive and administered by the National Museums of Scotland. NMS is currently consulting stakeholders on the way in which the NFA currently operates and the guidelines that govern it. The aim of the consultation is to ensure that best use is being made of the funds available and to identify improvements to the service offered to applicants. A questionnaire has been sent to the organisations on the NMS database, with a deadline for return of 17 March.
If you would like to take part in the consultation but have not received a copy of the questionnaire, please contact either Hazel Williamson. T: 0131 247 4106. 
E: [email protected] or Clare McIntyre. T: 0131 247 4073. 
E: [email protected]

The following cases have been claimed by the Crown and will be considered by the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel at the summer meeting, date to be announced. Registered museums interested in bidding should request case details from Stuart Campbell, Treasure Trove. E: [email protected]
TT.90/05 Bronze Age excavation assemblage, Kintore Golf Club, Aberdeenshire.
TT.91/05 19th century ceramic material, Verreville Pottery Site, Glasgow.
TT.92/05 19th century ceramic material, Verreville Pottery site, Glasgow.
TT.93/05 Assemblage of Second World War material, Deaconsbank PoW camp, Newton Mearns, Renfrewshire.
TT.94/05 Medieval to modern assemblage, Citadel Place, Ayr, South Ayrshire.
TT.95/05 Late medieval to post-medieval assemblage, Neilston Parish Church, East Renfrewshire.
TT.96/05 Iron Age to modern assemblage, Ballantrae, Dumfries and Galloway.
TT.97/05 Medieval/mixed assemblage, Hogg Hall, Galston, South Ayrshire.
TT.98/05 Neolithic to post-medieval assemblage, Laigh Newton, Loudon Hill, Darvel, East Ayrshire.
TT.99/05 Medieval to post-medieval assemblage, Linlithgow Palace, West Lothian.
TT.100/05 Post-medieval to modern assemblage, Bathgate to Newarthall pipeline project.
TT.101/05 Post-medieval excavation assemblage, Dunkeld House, Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross.
TT.102/05 Medieval to modern assemblage, Dull Parish Church, Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross.
Treasure Trove, National Museums of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF.
E: [email protected]  W: www.treasuretrovescotland.co.uk

Temporary export bars have been placed on wall-hangings which were designed by Jean-D�mosth�ne Dugourc for King Carlos IV of Spain and woven to order by Camille Pernon in Lyon around 1799. The decision on the export licence application is deferred until 7 April but this may be extended until 7 July if a serious intention to raise funds with a view to making an offer to purchase the hangings at the recommended price of �190,000.00 (excluding VAT) is expressed.
An offer to purchase the two paintings by Canaletto View of the Grand Walk, Vauxhall Gardens and The Interior of the Rotunda, Ranelagh, has been received and the deferral period has been extended until 20 June.
The Secretary, The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest, Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, Victoria House, Southampton Row, London WC1B 4EA.

The aim of the Gulbenkian Prize is to recognise and stimulate originality, imagination and excellence in museums and galleries in the UK, and increase public appreciation and enjoyment of all they have to offer. The long list for this year�s �100,000 award has been announced: the list includes The Concorde Experience at the National Museum of Scotland�s Museum of Flight at East Fortune. For details of the awards and the full long list, see the website http://www.thegulbenkianprize.org.uk  Four of the organisations listed will go forward in April and the winner will be announced on 25 May.

The National Lottery is calling for those in Scotland who have received lottery funding - whether big grants or small - to share their success stories and show how they have made a positive difference. The Awards celebrate and recognise how lottery funding has transformed the lives of communities and individuals throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK. For details, telephone 0845 130 4133 or see http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk  Nominations close 28 April.

The Association for Heritage Interpretation organises annual awards to reward and publicise excellence in providing interpretive facilities at, or about, natural and cultural heritage sites or topics. Eligible projects must have opened after 1 January 2004. The scheme welcomes entries from any organisation or individual in the public, private or voluntary sectors involved in interpreting a site, topic, theme, collection or other feature of significance for the benefit of the general public.
Entries (with an entry fee of �75) should be submitted by 5 May.
AHI, 18 Rose Crescent, Perth PH11NS.  T: 01738 621996. 
E: [email protected]
W: http://www.heritage-interpretation.org.uk/awardsidx.html

Historic Scotland wishes to sell 10 unused Solander Boxes made by Riley, Dunn and Wilson. Dimensions 1000 x 1000 x 80mm. Offers considered. Please contact
Rachael Drennan.  T: 0131 6688886.  E: [email protected]

MDA has launched an online database of MDA Codes, its system of unique identifiers for UK collections-holding organisations and their collections.
The database is available at www.mda.org.uk/mdacodes
MDA, The Spectrum Building, The Michael Young Centre, Purbeck Road, Cambridge CB2 2PD.  T: 01223 415760.  E: [email protected]

If you are currently doing a Continuing Professional Development scheme towards your AMA, then you could be eligible for funding to support activities related to your CPD.
The Trevor Walden Trust gives preference to those paying their own expenses rather than to those subsidised by an employer, but grants are awarded for a range of different activities. Contact Pamela Poynter.  T: 020 7426 6914. 
E: [email protected]  The closing date for applications is 17 March.

Museum and Gallery Studies Postgraduate Certificate Course
May 2006 � May 2007
The St Andrews University Certificate is aimed at museum and gallery professionals who wish to gain the Associateship of the Museums Association (AMA) by Route D. The course is delivered through two residential taught courses in St Andrews and a workplace project.
For details, contact Ann Gunn, Lecturer, Museum and Gallery Studies. 
T: 01334 462356.  E: [email protected]  or Margaret Hall, Postgraduate Secretary.  T: 01334 462414.  E: [email protected]

Managing Students and Volunteers
15 March, Edinburgh
�120 for participants from the museum sector
Effective working practices for managing unpaid staff: how to allot and delegate tasks, setting realistic expectations, matching volunteers' interests with your needs, and how to monitor and evaluate progress.
Gateway Arts Industry Network.  T: 0131 317 3970.  E: [email protected]

Pre-School and Family Learning
21 March, Glasgow
�35 for SMC members� volunteers, �85 for SMC / ASVA members, �107 for
non-members
How pre-school children and families learn, exploring learning through play, and forward planning for your organisation.
Training, SMC, 20-22 Torphichen Street, Edinburgh EH3 8JB.  T: 0131 476 8453. 
E: [email protected] 
W: http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/members_services/training/training_booking.asp

Going Green. Museums and the Environment
24 March, London
�110 for MA members, �185 for non-members
What environmental sustainability means in a museum context, the policies and practical measures necessary to achieve it, and ways to raise public awareness of the process.
Museums Association, 24 Calvin Street, London E1 6NW.  T: 020 7426 6940. 
E: [email protected]  W: www.museumsassociation.org/events

Copyright Law
24 March, London
�50 for MA members, �75 for non-members
Developed in collaboration with the Museums Copyright Group, this session will look at the legal framework to develop a basic copyright law strategy.
Museums Association, 24 Calvin Street, London E1 6NW.  T: 020 7426 6940. 
E: [email protected]  W: www.museumsassociation.org/events

Managing Volunteers
24 March, London / 9 May, Bristol
�50 for MA members, �75 for non-members
Best practice in the recruitment, management, protection, support and development of volunteers.
Museums Association, 24 Calvin Street, London E1 6NW.  T: 020 7426 6940. 
E: [email protected]  W: www.museumsassociation.org/events

Board Member Development
24 � 25 March, Stirling
�210, �150 for organisations in receipt of SAC funding
For board members who wish to develop their skills and knowledge to help improve their contribution and their board�s effectiveness.
Monica Jamieson, Arts & Business Scotland.  T: 0131 220 2499. 
E: [email protected]

Scottish Railway Collections Conference
25 - 26 March, Bo�ness
Free of charge for representatives of Scottish museums, members of SRPS and HRA
Part-funded by SMC as a Strategic Change Fund project and organised by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society, the Heritage Railway Association and Falkirk Council Museums, this conference will examine the needs of railway collections in Scotland.
Jane Freel, Scottish Railway Preservation Society, 17/19 North Street, Bo�ness
EH51 0AQ.  E: [email protected]

European Cultural Co-operation. Cultur�uro Seminars
28 March, Aberdeen / 6 April, Edinburgh
�75
Current and future EU funding opportunities and ways in which cultural organisations can build partnerships, access other European sources of funding and deal with the challenges of EU rules and regulations.
EUCLID.  T: 07000 382543.  E:  [email protected]  W: www.euclid.info/uk/seminars

The Effects of Ventilation and Air Movement in Storage Areas
29 March, Edinburgh
Preventive Conservation Forum Spring meeting, discussing the best method of environmental control in stores.
Helen Spencer, Collections Care Manager, National Museums of Scotland,
Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF.  T: 0131 247 4347.  E: [email protected]

Sustainability
30 March, Edinburgh
Free of charge for AIM members, �30 for non-members
A workshop to help small independent charitable trust museums to help themselves become more self-sustainable, covering governance; collections care; business planning; marketing; staff and volunteer training; IT and retail and catering.
Roger Hornshaw, AIM Administrator, 75 Western Way, Gosport PO12 2NF. 
T: 02392 587751.  E: [email protected]

What is Visitor Studies?
5 April, Edinburgh
�20 for GEM members, �40 for non-members
An introduction to visitor studies and evaluation in museums, galleries and heritage organisations.
Christine McLean, Group for Education in Museums Scotland,
c/o Learning & Programmes: Public Programmes, National Museums of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF.  T: 0131 247 4199.  E: [email protected]

Murex Exhibition
26 - 27 April, Birmingham
Highlights include a new products showcase and a free seminar programme.
MUREX Exhibition, c/o Interchange Communications Ltd., Princes Drive,
Coventry Road, Kenilworth CV8 2FD.  T: 08702 406 953.
W: http://www.museum-expo.co.uk

The Generation Game: Museums and Older People
28 April, London
�100 for MA members, �175 for non-members
What you can do to attract the growing population of more active and affluent over 50�s.
Museums Association, 24 Calvin Street, London E1 6NW.  T: 020 7426 6940
E: [email protected]  W: www.museumsassociation.org/events

MDA Documentation Essentials
2 May, Edinburgh
�35 for SMC members� volunteers, �50 for SMC / ASVA members,
�70 for non-members
The basic principles of museum documentation. Topics include SPECTRUM, the Accreditation Scheme, object entry, accessioning, marking and labelling, cataloguing, location and movement control, exit and loan.
Training, SMC, 20-22 Torphichen Street, Edinburgh EH3 8JB.  T: 0131 476 8453. 
E: [email protected] 
W: http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/members_services/training/training_booking.asp

Oral History Projects � A How To Guide
3 May, Dundee
Free of charge for Regional Development Challenge Fund project partners, nominal fee for non-partner organisations
This course will give you an understanding of how to carry out an oral history project, looking at finding and selecting interviewees, interview techniques, equipment, ethics, and legislation. It will also cover how to make the oral history accessible.
Contact Tayside Museums Learning and Access Partnership, Burgh Yard, Forfar
DD8 3JA.  T: 01307 475372  E: [email protected]

What Does Renaissance Do For Us? AIM Annual Conference
4 - 5 May, Bristol
�50 for AIM members, �85 for non-members.
The Renaissance in the Regions programme and its impact on smaller and medium-sized independent museums.
Association of Independent Museums, 75 Western Way, Gosport PO12 2NF. 
T: 02392 587751.  E: [email protected]

Essentials: Funding
9 May, Bristol
�50 for MA members, �75 for non-members
Help in making successful applications to grant-making bodies and charitable trusts and foundations.
Museums Association, 24 Calvin Street, London E1 6NW.  T: 020 7426 6940.
E: [email protected]  W: www.museumsassociation.org/events

Museums & Heritage Show
10 � 11 May, London
Trade exhibition for museums, galleries and heritage visitor attractions.
Museums & Heritage Show, The Coach House, Sharman Road, Worcester WR1 3LA.  T: 01905 724734  E: [email protected] 
W: www.museumsandheritage.com

Storytelling in Museums
16 May, Glasgow
�35 for SMC members� volunteers, �85 for SMC / ASVA members,
�110 for non-members
Develop confidence in oral storytelling and consider ways in which storytelling can be applied in the museum setting to inspire interest in artefacts. The workshop will also involve thinking about ways of working with different age groups, labelling and displays and activities that can accompany storytelling sessions.
Training, SMC, 20-22 Torphichen Street, Edinburgh EH3 8JB.  T: 0131 476 8453. 
E: [email protected] 
W: http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/members_services/training/training_booking.asp

Essentials: Marketing
16 May, Leeds
�50 for MA members, �75 for non-members
Help in developing a marketing strategy relevant to the size, nature, context and aims of your museum.
Museums Association, 24 Calvin Street, London E1 6NW.  T: 020 7426 6940.
E: [email protected]  W: www.museumsassociation.org/events

Time, Money, People: Project Management for Museums
22 May, London
�100 for MA members, �175 for non-members
Regardless of the scale and type of your projects, success depends on mastery of the same basic skills: planning, communication, control and leadership. This conference will familiarise you with those skills.
Museums Association, 24 Calvin Street, London E1 6NW.  T: 020 7426 6940.
E: [email protected]  W: www.museumsassociation.org/events