SMC e-bulletin

SMC Monthly e-bulletin July 2006

Salary: �23,000 per annum
Full-time post, 7 month contract
The Group for Education in Museums and SMC seek a highly motivated, experienced Learning Development Officer to provide practical lifelong learning support to Scotland�s non-national museums and galleries as part of the Grass Roots project.
The Grass Roots project is funded by SMC and managed by GEM.
Responsibilities of the post include developing learning resources, museum education training for museum staff, a mentoring programme, and consolidating access and learning networks.
Applicants should have at least 3 years� relevant experience and be willing and able to travel throughout Scotland and work independently from home.
Closing date: 13 July.
For notes for applicants, see http://www.gem.org.uk/jobads/gr2_ldo_app_notes.pdf
or e-mail [email protected]

The Scottish Executive's policy statement Culture Scotland recommended the implementation of this scheme which will formally recognise collections of national significance in Scotland's non-national museums.
SMC will manage the scheme with a dedicated member of staff and administer the funding for which museums recognised under the scheme will be eligible to apply.
We are currently seeking to appoint the Chair of the Significance Committee and up to 8 committee members. The Chair will lead the committee, monitor its performance and ensure it discharges its functions. The committee members will make recommendations on the awarding of recognised status, provide strategic advice, oversee the publication of an annual report and make recommendations on subsequent reviews of recognised status. A panel of expert advisers will support the Committee.
All positions are not remunerated but travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed.
The Chair and committee members will be expected to attend up to 4 meetings a year in the first year and 2 in subsequent years, normally in Edinburgh.
Appointments will normally be for a 3-year term (renewable).
To apply, send a CV and covering letter to SMC, The Stack, Papermill Wynd, McDonald Road, Edinburgh EH7 4QL.  T: 0131 550 4112.  E: [email protected]
Closing dates: for the Chair, 4 August / for committee members, 25 August.

Learning and Access Manager Anja-Maaike Green has returned after maternity leave.
Clare Dickinson has been appointed as Communications Manager (PR and Events).

Congratulations to SMC Chief Executive Officer Joanne Orr on graduating with an MBA from Durham University.

The 4th annual Electric Connections conference will be held on 8 August in Dundee. Funded by the Scottish Library & Information Council and SMC and organised by the Confederation of Scottish Mini-Cooperatives, Electric Connections provides an insight into Scottish digital developments in the museum, library and archive sectors. This year's conference will include contributions about the A-Z Project in East Dumbarton, the Integrated Public Sector Vocabulary, and the OpenScotland Information Framework.
The conference is free to register but places are limited and so you must register early to be sure of a place. For more information including details of the venue, the programme when it becomes available, and the registration form, please see http://www.slainte.org.uk/events/EvntShow.cfm?uEventID=390

Registration Phase II Returns
MLA has now sent out information returns forms to all Registered museums not being invited to apply for Accreditation until 2007 - 2009. The deadline for returning the forms to SMC is 25 August. This is also the deadline for the return of the Curatorial Advisors' reports. It is envisaged that Registration Phase II returns will be issued to the remaining Registered museums one last time in 2008. The situation with Accreditation information returns is still being considered by MLA.
2007 Invitations to Apply for Accreditation
We will shortly be writing to all museums due to be invited to apply for Accreditation in 2007 with some pre-invitation information. Museums due to be invited to apply in 2007 are university museums, regimental museums, non-government-funded museums using 'national' or equivalent in their name and large independents.
Curatorial Advisors
We have set up an e-mail group and website for Scotland's curatorial advisors and they will receive an invitation via email to join this group. We will also be trialling a short monthly update for curatorial advisors.
Queries
If you have any queries about Accreditation, please contact SMC Accreditation Managers Susie Hillhouse (Tues - Thurs) or Fiona McDougall (Mon, Thurs pm, Fri).
T: 0131 550 4124.  E: [email protected]
or [email protected]

In Round 2, we received 21 applications from a wide range of members. The projects include conservation of objects, new storage for collections, and temporary exhibitions.
The deadline for the next round of Small Grants is 31 August.

Another Scottish museum has been successful in applying for an Association of Independent Museums Sustainability Fund grant. Ullapool Museum recently received a grant of �5,000 which will go towards funding a 1-year Museum Development Officer post, for which 50% has already been awarded by SMC under our main grants programme. The Sustainability Scheme, made possible by the generosity of the Esm�e Fairbairn Foundation, aims to assist medium and smaller-sized AIM members to improve their medium and long-term financial viability. For more details, contact AIM. 
E: [email protected]

Congratulations to Whithorn Priory and Museum, the refurbishment of which was highly commended in the category for the best conservation project in the 2006 Museums and Heritage Awards for Excellence. The project aimed to present the collection of early Christian carved stones in an attractive and accessible way, reflecting their importance in the nation�s historical and spiritual past.

Lottery Funding is a joint website run by all Lottery funders in the UK. The site allows you to search information on current funding programmes across the UK.
See http://www.lotteryfunding.org.uk/

Awards for All is a Lottery grants scheme for local communities which funds people who take part in the arts, sport, heritage, community activities and projects that promote education, the environment and health in the local community. The upper limit of the grants has recently been extended from �5,000 to �10,000.
T: 0141 242 1400  E: [email protected] 
W: http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/scotland/index.html
You can apply for an Awards For All grant at any time.

This scheme provides grants of between �50-�500 to a range of community groups or projects, including Young People or Youth Initiatives and Local Heritage Organisations.
The current round of funding is open until 10 October.
See http://www.communitykitty.co.uk/articles.nsf/content/UKVKittyRules

The next meeting of the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel will be on
26 October. The deadline for bids is 5 October.
The following excavation assemblages have been claimed by the Crown.
TT.13/06 Assemblage of post-medieval and modern material, Hirta, St Kilda.
TT.14/06 Assemblage of post-medieval material, Culloden Muir, Highland.
TT.15/06 Assemblage of modern material, Tobha Mor, South Uist, Western Isles.
TT.16/06 Medieval and modern excavation assemblage, West Mount, Abernethy, Perth and Kinross.
TT.17/06 Assemblage of 18-20th century material, Old Schoolhouse, Cottown, Perth and Kinross.
TT.18/06 Assemblage of 19-20th century material, Little Dunkeld Church, Perth and Kinross.
TT.19/06 Assemblage of medieval material, Baile Mor, Iona, Argyll and Bute.
TT.20/06 Assemblage of modern material, Academy Street, Inverness, Highland.
TT.21/06 Assemblage of prehistoric and 18-20th century material, Castlehill, Inshes, Inverness, Highland.
TT.22/06 Assemblage of 19-20th century material, 84-84 High Street, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.
TT.23/06 Assemblage of medieval and 19th century material, Pettycur Road, Kinghorn, Fife.
TT.24/06 Assemblage of 19th century material, Largnahunsion Bridge, Argyll and Bute.
TT.25/06 Assemblage of medieval to 18-19th century material, 13/13a High Street, Paisley, Renfrewshire.
TT.26/06 Assemblage of Victorian material, Inverkeithing Medical Centre, Fife.
TT.28/06 MBA flanged axehead, Gretna, Dumfries & Galloway.
TT.29/06 66 medieval/later finds, Dornoch, Highland.
TT.30/06 16 medieval/later finds, Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway.
TT.31/06 61 medieval/later finds, Portmahomack, Highland.
TT.32/06 Medieval silver ring, Innerwick, East Lothian.
TT.33/06 Six medieval finds, Melrose, Scottish Borders.
TT.34/06 Medieval/later stone cresset, Shawhead, Dumfries & Galloway.
TT.35/06 37 medieval/later finds, Crail, Fife.
TT.36/06 Three medieval finds, Kinross, Perth & Kinross.
Registered museums interested in bidding should request case details from Treasure Trove, National Museums of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF. E: [email protected]  T: 0131 247 4082/4355.  W: www.treasuretrovescotland.co.uk

Good news with regards to standard constitutions for museums meeting the Charity Test. OSCR has now published its guidance and, despite some initial resistance from the Inland Revenue with regards to the possibility of assets being made over to a local authority, the guidance states that there is no strict requirement that the constitution must state that the property can, on winding up, only be transferred to a registered charity in Scotland and "it may also be possible to include a clause that for example provides that the property will be transferred to a local authority, so long as there is a very clear stipulation that in such a case the property will only be used and will continue to be used for a particular charitable purpose". For a full copy of the guidance, go to http://www.oscr.org.uk/Guidance.stm

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations has launched its Governance Programme on the web. The site contains a wealth of information on effective governance in the Scottish voluntary sector, ranging from who takes the minutes to where to get funding; whether to be a charity, limited company or both; legal responsibilities; and details of training on good governance and the roles of trustees etc. Publications available for download include

• An Introductory Leaflet: Your Mission Governance
• Getting to grips with governance toolkit
• Guide to Constitutions and Charitable Status
• New Charity Law: Charitable Status after April 2006
• Working With Us: A Guide to Good Employment Practice in the Scottish Voluntary Sector.

See http://www.scvo.org.uk/governance/Home/Home.aspx

The MEG website has been overhauled and has new features and tools, including news; a database of collections; an events calendar; and a directory of members.
W: http://www.museumethnographersgroup.org.uk

Many thanks to all who attended these events, held 19th and 22nd June in Glasgow and Inverness. They brought museum staff together with Cultural Coordinators to come up with creative ways of working together. For anyone who missed the events, a report of the events will be circulated in August. For information on contacting Cultural Coordinators or Creative Links Officers, contact SMC Learning and Access Manager
Rhona Hamilton.  T: 0131 550 4132.  E: [email protected]

Working Together and Reaching Out
5 � 9 September, Durham
�405 for GEM members, �465 for non-members
How museums, libraries and archives are working together, what effect Renaissance is having, and outreach.
Group for Education in Museums.  T: 01634 312409.  E: [email protected]

Changing the World. Can Interpretation Change Your View?
13-15 September, Bath and Bristol
�285.00, non-residential �215.00
The world and the world of interpretation. While few would contend that interpretation can change the world, many would agree that it can change perceptions of it. The world of interpretation has to change as the world around it changes.
Michael H Glen, Association for Heritage Interpretation.  T: 01738 621996. 
E: [email protected]  W: http://www.heritage-interpretation.org.uk

Introduction to Good Governance
20 September, Edinburgh / 21 February, Inverness
�60 for SCVO members, �90 for non-member voluntary organisations, �125 for others
An introduction to the main responsibilities of governing bodies in voluntary organisations and how meetings, policies and plans can be used to best effect.
Jane Baillie, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisation.  T: 0131 474 8019. 
E: [email protected] 
W: http://www.scvo.org.uk/scvo/SCVOEvents/ViewSCVOEvents.aspx?al=t&EID=506&from=EventHome

Care of Textiles
28 September, Edinburgh
�35 for SMC member museums� volunteers, �85 for SMC/ASVA members,
�107 for non-members
Guidance on identifying care needs, handling and moving, storage, support, protection and the display of various textiles.
Training, SMC.  T: 0131 550 4112.  E: [email protected]
W: http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/areas_of_work/training/training_programme.asp

Fast Forward: Building a Sustainable New Media Future for UK Museums
29 September, London
�100 for MA members, �175 for non-members
Exploring prospects for the IT function to be as integral to museums and galleries as collections management and education.
Museums Association.  T: 020 7426 6940.  E: [email protected] 
W: http://www.museumsassociation.org/12346&_IXFPFX_=full/mpf

Conservation and Preservation of Photographs
2 - 4 October, Edinburgh
�150
Suitable for conservators and curators, the course will cover identification and conservation of different types of historic and modern photos.
Helen Creasy, Scottish Conservation Studio.  T: 0131 331 5875. 
E: [email protected]

Financial Governance and Understanding Accounts
3 October, Edinburgh / 7 March, Inverness
�60 for SCVO members, �90 for non-member voluntary organisations, �125 for others
The financial responsibilities of board members; the importance of regular management reporting, and examples of management accounts.
Jane Baillie, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.  T: 0131 474 8019. 
E: [email protected] 
W: http://www.scvo.org.uk/scvo/SCVOEvents/ViewSCVOEvents.aspx?al=t&EID=509&from=EventHome

New Support for Committees
4 October, Edinburgh
�60 for SCVO members, �90 for non-member voluntary organisations, �125 for others
How you can use the National Occupational Standards for Trustees and Management Committee members, new guidelines developed at UK level with significant input from voluntary organisations in Scotland.
Jane Baillie, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.  T: 0131 474 8019. 
E: [email protected] 
W: http://www.scvo.org.uk/scvo/SCVOEvents/ViewSCVOEvents.aspx?al=t&EID=513&from=EventHome

BC to PC: Museums, Computers, and Friends
6 - 8 October, Norwich
�125
How computers are an important tool for heritage and museum professionals and for Friends, both in interpretation and recording.
British Association of Friends of Museums. T: 01953 602166 or 01603 615066. 
W: http://www.bafm.org.uk/bafm-conference.htm

Society of Museum Archaeologists
�22 for SMA members, �27 for non-members
17 October, Edinburgh: Roman small finds
An introduction to Roman small finds including copper alloy, iron, glass, stone, bone and pottery with an emphasis on finds from the frontier but of broader relevance.
25 October, Bradford: Prehistoric pottery
A hands-on session looking at the technology and identification of British prehistoric pottery.
27 November, St Albans: Coins
An introduction to identifying coins of different periods before looking in detail at Roman coins. If time permits there may be an opportunity to look at jetons and tokens.
Christine Longworth, World Museum Liverpool, William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EN.

Ready for Anything? Emergency Planning and Response in Museums
Day 1 19 October 2006, Edinburgh
Day 2 20 October 2006, Edinburgh
Day 1 only: �35 for SMC member museums� volunteers, �70 for SMC/ASVA members, �100 for non-members
Day 2 only: �35 for SMC member museums� volunteers, �70 for SMC/ASVA members, �100 for non-members
Day 1 and 2: �60 for SMC member museums� volunteers, �120 for SMC/ASVA members, �150 for non-members
This course has been devised to be in line with MLA Accreditation guidelines and to provide information about preparations for effective prevention and response to emergency incidents.
Day 1 will explore the planning crucial to consider in anticipation of an emergency situation.
Day 2 will consider what to do in practice, looking specifically at collection salvage and what needs to happen in the immediate aftermath of an emergency incident.
Training, SMC.  T: 0131 550 4112.  E: [email protected]
W: http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/areas_of_work/training/training_programme.asp

Strategic Planning for Boards
26 October, Edinburgh
�60 for SCVO members, �90 for non-member voluntary organisations, �125 for others
How board members can ensure that they have access to good information before making decisions and how those decisions should be recorded.
Jane Baillie, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.  T: 0131 474 8019. 
E: [email protected] 
W: http://www.scvo.org.uk/scvo/SCVOEvents/ViewSCVOEvents.aspx?al=t&EID=512&from=EventHome