SMC e-bulletin

SMC Monthly e-bulletin May 2006

Over the week 29 May to 2 June, SMC will be moving into a new office. The address will be The Stack, Papermill Wynd, McDonald Road, Edinburgh EH7 4QL.
New telephone numbers will be posted on our website.
E-mail and web addresses will remain the same.

The first ever Show Scotland events weekend took place over the holiday weekend
28 April - 1 May. Over 50 museums and galleries put on over 120 events across the whole of Scotland. Show Scotland generated plenty of media interest with a live feature on Reporting Scotland, a piece on STV, and extensive coverage in newspapers including The Sunday Herald, The Herald, The Scotsman and local press across the country. A full external evaluation is being undertaken. Initial feedback has been very positive and we have already had enquiries about Show Scotland 07!
If you have photographs of a Show Scotland event, please send them in to
Clare Dickinson at SMC, 20-22 Torphichen Street, Edinburgh EH3 8JB. 
T: 0131 476 8463.  E: [email protected]
In June, we will be reporting on the evaluation of Show Scotland 06 and outlining early proposals for Show Scotland 07.

Members are reminded that as part of the transition from running our own conservation service, SMC has a service level agreement with the Scottish Conservation Studio to provide a free advice service to our members. So, if you have a particular conservation concern or need technical conservation advice, telephone the Scottish Conservation Studio on 0131 331 5875 or e-mail [email protected]

The Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust has provided grants for the conservation of paper collections to SMC members for many years. This year, we are encouraging smaller independent member museums to apply to Round 3 of the Small Grants Programme for Gordon Fraser Grants which, if successful, would cover 100% of costs of conservation work. All kinds of paper conservation and collection care work will be considered, including collection condition surveys, conservation treatment or staff coaching.
The deadline for this round of grants is 31 August.
It is a condition of the Gordon Fraser Grants that work is done by the Scottish Conservation Studio, and so, to discuss your needs and get an estimate for the work, please contact the Scottish Conservation Studio.  T: 0131 331 5875. 

E: [email protected]

For additional guidance on this and other special schemes under the Small Grants Programme, see the Small Grants page of our website:

http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/areas_of_work/grants/small_grants.asp

For further information on the Gordon Fraser Grants, contact Gill Findlay.
T: 0131 476 8458.  E: [email protected]

The SMC Small Grants Programme provides funding for smaller projects that benefit Registered/Accredited museums. SMC wants to invest in projects and initiatives that align with a vision for a welcoming museums and galleries sector that opens doors and celebrates collections, inspiring creativity, learning and enjoyment for all. One way of inspiring creativity, learning and enjoyment is to work with Cultural Coordinators and Creative Links Officers, who can use their skills and contacts with learning providers to help you widen access to collections. The SMC Small Grants Programme is now available to Cultural Coordinators and Creative Links Officers to develop exciting and innovative projects with Registered / Accredited museums.
For general guidelines and application forms see http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/areas_of_work/grants/small_grants.asp

For additional Cultural Coordinator / Creative Links Officer guidelines, application forms, and a link to contact details for Cultural Coordinators / Creative Links Officers, see http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/areas_of_work/learning_and_access/cc_funds.asp

Events to promote the grants to Cultural Coordinators / Creative Links Officers and to give museum staff opportunity to get together with them to develop ideas will take place in June. These events will feature case studies of past projects as well as an opportunity to discuss ideas for future projects.
If you would like further information on contacting your local Cultural Coordinator and/or Creative Links Officer or to find out more about the sorts of projects that have taken place recently, contact SMC Learning and Access Adviser Rhona Hamilton. 
T: 0131 476 8454.  E [email protected]

At the Accreditation panel meeting on 20 April, the following decisions were made:
Corrigall Farm Museum, Orkney, Provisional Accreditation
Kirbuster Museum, Orkney, Provisional Accreditation
Scapa Flow Visitor Centre and Museum, Orkney, Provisional Accreditation
The Orkney Museum, Tankerness House, Orkney, Provisional Accreditation
Reid Concert Hall Museum of Instruments, Edinburgh, Full Accreditation
St Cecilia's Hall Museum of Instruments, Edinburgh, Full Accreditation.

At the Accreditation panel meeting on 20 April, the following decisions were made:
Corrigall Farm Museum, Orkney, Provisional Accreditation
Kirbuster Museum, Orkney, Provisional Accreditation
Scapa Flow Visitor Centre and Museum, Orkney, Provisional Accreditation
The Orkney Museum, Tankerness House, Orkney, Provisional Accreditation
Reid Concert Hall Museum of Instruments, Edinburgh, Full Accreditation
St Cecilia's Hall Museum of Instruments, Edinburgh, Full Accreditation.

Temporary export bars have been placed on

• a Roman Millefiori enamelled disc, deferred until 19 June but this may be extended until 19 August if there is a serious intention to make an offer to purchase at the recommended price of �2,260
• a portrait of Louis XVI standing, wearing coronation robes, by Antoine-Fran�ois Callet, in a frame by Fran�ois-Charles Buteux, from the ballroom at Powderham Castle, Devon, deferred until 19 June but this may be extended until 19 September, price �775,000
• a large silver plateau, the 'Shannon trophy', presented to Sir Philip Bowes Vere Broke by the people of his native Suffolk in recognition of his exemplary performance in the battle between HMS Shannon, which he commanded, and USS Chesapeake during the Anglo-American War of 1812-14, deferred until 19 June but this may be extended until 19 September, price �696,000
• a painting by Naddo Ceccarelli, the Madonna and Child, deferred until 26 June but this may be extended until 26 September, price �1,302,012
• a painting by Luca Carlevarijs, View of the Molo, Venice, looking west, deferred until 8 July, but this may be extended until 8 October, price �3,000,000.

The Secretary, The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest, MLA, Victoria House, Southampton Row, London WC1B 4EA.

Items granted Conditional Exemption from Inheritance Tax can be purchased by a public museum or gallery in the UK and Northern Ireland at a price beneficial to both public purchaser and private vendor. Notices of Intention of Sale:

• Gould, John The Birds of Australia, �120,000
• antique diamond corsage brooch, �150,000
• antique diamond and emerald necklace, �80,000
• antique diamond cluster necklace, �70,000
• Louis XV musical clock, �300,000
• Louis XV parquetry commode, �300,000
• Jan van Huysum (1682 - 1749) Still life of fruit etc, �2,500,000 - �3,500,000.

Gerry McQuillan, Acquisition, Export and Loans Unit, MLA. T: 020 7273 1456. 
E: [email protected]  W: http://www.mla.gov.uk/webdav/harmonise?Page/@id=73&Document/@id=19046&Section[@stateId_eq_left_hand_root]/@id=4332&Session/@id=D_uCtbg8oSmUSCuKftzm1E

Recent Heritage Lottery Fund awards include:

• Glasgow Museums - �41,200 towards the purchase of a portrait of Dr Honeyman (Glasgow's first Director of Museums and Art Galleries, 1939-54)
• Linlithgow Union Canal Society - �45,100 to build an extension to the existing canal museum to house a learning space which will allow a further 700 schoolchildren to visit each year.
• Museum of Communication Foundation Trust - �50,000 to improve displays and storage at the museum
• Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh - a Stage One pass of �3.1m with development funding to create an innovative interpretation centre.

The Big Lottery Fund has launched 'Investing in Communities', a new fund which will make �257m available to groups across Scotland over the next three years. There are four areas of investment: Growing Community Assets; Life Transitions; Dynamic Inclusive Communities; and Supporting 21st Century Life. Groups can apply for funding between �10,000 and �1m for projects lasting up to five years. T: 0870 2402391. 
W: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/programmes/investingcomms/index.htm

UK registered charities working at a community and neighbourhood level can apply for funding of between �1,000 and �20,000 for eligible projects. These include areas such as conservation and preservation of pictures, manuscripts and artefact and industrial heritage. For guidelines or to apply, contact The Charles Haywood Foundation,
Hayward House, 45 Harrington Gardens, London, SW7 4JU.  T: 0207 370 7063. 
W: www.charleshaywoodfoundation.org.uk

The Association of Independent Museums held the Scottish workshop for it�s new Sustainability Grant Scheme in Edinburgh on 30 March. Adrian Babbidge of Egeria heritage consultancy led the workshop, which aimed to help members highlight where their problems lie with regard to sustainability and to suggest solutions, prior to the submission of a grant application. Notes from this highly informative and useful day will be posted on the SMC website. For information on the Sustainability Scheme, see the AIM website: www.museums.org.uk/aim

AIM has published the following focus papers:

• Governing Independent Museums
• Using Museum Consultants
• Working With Volunteers.

The papers can be downloaded from the AIM website: www.museums.org.uk/aim

An online guide to organising and managing exhibitions. http://www.teg.org.uk/index.php?id=4,10

South Ayrshire Council Museums & Galleries Service, in conjunction with colleagues in Libraries, is in the process of devising guidelines for staff in the event of challenging behaviour from visitors of all ages, including young people.
The Museums and Libraries services were given access to documents relating to the school context but felt they were not helpful for the non-school context. Liz Kwasnik, the officer drafting the guidelines, has been asked to try and find out from museums / libraries in other local authority areas what they have in the way of guidelines or policy in this area. If you have any information on guidelines or policy which you would be prepared to share, it would be gratefully received. E-mail information to [email protected]

Proud Heritage is the new national agency for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans history, heritage and lived experience which aims to create a national museum at first online and then as a physical institution, reflecting the diverse experiences of LGBT people across the country and through time. Proud Heritage is undertaking three strands of activity:
1. The Proud Nation Survey: identifying what LGBT collections are held, and where, within UK museums, archives and libraries.
2. Proud Memories: collective memory and the transmission of memory, aiming to create resources / exhibitions and undertake activities around various themes such as Gay Pride Festivals and Civil Partnership ceremonies.
3. Walking Proud in Britain: working with organisations to undertake projects.
Jack Gilbert, Director, Proud Heritage.  T: 020 7609 1811. 
E: [email protected]  W: http://www.proudheritage.org

A request from Charles Monk, the great great grandson of Captain John McKinnon who was for many years a Steam Boat Captain on the Clyde and who in 1842 was awarded a Humane Society medal along with a silver tea service for rescuing 6 or 7 men during a storm: the tea service is believed to be in a museum in Scotland and Mr Monk is trying to locate it and arrange for a photo of it to be taken. If you know where the tea service is, please e-mail [email protected]

Don�t miss the forthcoming BBC2 television series The People�s Museum. This new programme explores Britain�s museums and galleries and the treasures they contain. Members of the public will be invited to vote for their favourite objects, culminating in a list of 20 top items and an overall winner. Scotland is well represented in the programme and the following museums will be featured in the series:
Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, Glasgow � 17 May, 15:30
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow � 18 May, 15:30
Museum of Transport, Glasgow � 25 May, 13:00
Royal Museum and Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh � 29 May, 15:30
Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh � 30 May, 15:30
Reid Concert Hall Museum of Instruments, Edinburgh �1 June, 15:30
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow � 2 June, 16:30
Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh � 5 June, 15:30
Further information can be found on the BBC website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/04_april/28/museum.shtml

The Big Draw is the annual public focus for the Campaign for Drawing. You can play a part by holding drop-in drawing events, workshops, exhibitions or talks. The challenge for 2006 is to make The Big Draw more inclusive by extending its opportunities to new audiences, in particular adults and family groups. After the events, five awards of �500 will be presented to activities which were particularly inclusive and engaging. For advice on organising activities and previous examples, see www.drawingpower.org.uk 
To register, see www.thebigdraw.org.uk

Behind the Scenes Visits
18 May, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
2 June, National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
Free of charge for Regional Development Challenge Fund project partners, a nominal fee may be charged for non-partner organisations.
Informal chances to explore the workings of other museums, view how others have implemented changes in practice and get to know fellow heritage workers.
Themes for the day at the Royal Scottish Academy will include picture handling and maintenance of picture collections.
Themes at the National Museum of Scotland will include science and technology in connection with the new Connect Gallery.
Regional Museums Training Development Project.  T: 01896 833837.
E: [email protected]  W: www.trainingmages.org

What is a Museum?
22 May, Edinburgh
Free of charge for Regional Development Challenge Fund project partners, a nominal fee may be charged for non-partner organisations.
An opportunity for non-curatorial and non-managerial staff to find out more about the work of a museum, answering questions such as how an exhibition is planned or what documentation is, in the context of the attendees� day-to-day roles. Attendees will gain increased confidence in answering questions from members of the public and an understanding of the processes involved in running a museum.
Regional Museums Training Development Project.  T: 01896 833837. 
E: [email protected]  W: www.trainingmages.org

Care of Textile Collections
25 May, Hawick
Free of charge for Regional Development Challenge Fund project partners, a nominal fee may be charged for non-partner organisations.
A practical workshop on packing and storage of costumes and different textiles.
Regional Museums Training Development Project.  T: 01896 833837. 
E: [email protected]  W: www.trainingmages.org

Care of Paper and Photographic Collections
1 June, Edinburgh
�35 for SMC members� volunteers, �85 for SMC / ASVA members,
�110 for non-members
How paper and photographic collections can become damaged whilst on display, in storage and when being handled and measures that can be taken to prevent such damage.
SMC Training.  T: 0131 476 8453.  E: [email protected] 
W: http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/members_services/training/training_booking.asp

Some Rights Reserved:  Access to Collections Through Creative Commons
5 June, Edinburgh
�50 for MDA or Museum Copyright Group members, �70 for non-members
Creative Commons is a way of making digital resources available to the public using straightforward, online licences. So could Creative Commons be the solution to balancing the demands of public access, rights protection and commercial exploitation?
Eleanor Lovegrove, MDA.  T: 01223 415760.  E: [email protected] 
W: http://www.mda.org.uk/ccevent.htm

How to Identify �Whatchamacallits�
5 June, Nuneaton
�20 for Social History Curators Group members, �30 for non-members
Do you have objects that you find it hard to identify? This course will give an introduction to some that are often encountered in social history collections such as costume, wooden objects and tools but an emphasis on strategies for demystifying any mystery item will be helpful for all kinds of objects.
Emma Lloyd.  T: 01872 272205 (ext 220).  E: [email protected]

Customer Care Training - Creating a Positive Customer Experience
7 June, Dunbar / 8 June, to be confirmed / 19 June, Hopetoun House /
20 June, Edinburgh
Free of charge for Regional Development Challenge Fund project partners, a nominal fee may be charged for non-partner organisations.
A workshop focused on customer care in a heritage environment, including:
What is customer service?
What influences the customer?
What creates a good customer environment?
Who is responsible for delivering good customer service?
Regional Museums Training Development Project.  T: 01896 833837. 
E: [email protected]  W: www.trainingmages.org

Help at Hand: Working with Handheld Guides
12 June, London
�100 for MA members, �185 for non-members
Handheld technology issues to be covered include:
cost, portability, repair and operational issues
integrating the technology with print and other forms of interpretation
creating content
the pros and cons of different formats.
Museums Association.  T: 020 7426 6940.  E: [email protected] 
W: http://www.museumsassociation.org/12169

An Introduction to Environmental Monitoring
16 June, Perth
�35 for SMC members� volunteers, �70 for SMC / ASVA members,
�100 for non-members
A basic introduction to environmental monitoring, exploring reasons for undertaking monitoring, what factors should be monitored, the variety of equipment available and how to analyse and make use of the data gathered.
SMC Training.  T: 0131 476 8453.  E: [email protected]
W: http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/members_services/training/training_booking.asp

Inspirational Collections - Using the Inspiring Learning for All Framework
22 June. Gloucester
�20 for MPG members, �30 for non-members
This Museum Professionals Group event will show how you can use Inspiring Learning for All in exhibition planning and development and will give an introduction to the Inspiring Learning for All framework and Generic Learning Outcomes.
Sarah Teale.  T: 01204 332209.  E: [email protected]

Revisiting Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow Style. Call for Papers
11 November, Glasgow
Organised by the Scottish Society for Art History in association with the Institute for Art History, University of Glasgow, this symposium will address a diversity of themes and approaches that reconsider the status and significance of Mackintosh and the Glasgow Style in the wider context of recent developments in art, architecture and design history.
Papers are invited on themes relevant both to Mackintosh and the period 1870-1930 more generally. Proposals accompanied by a 200-300 word abstract should be sent, by 26 June, to Dr Ailsa Boyd, Department of History of Art, University of Glasgow,
Glasgow G12 8QQ.  E: [email protected]