SMC e-bulletin

SMC Monthly e-bulletin January 2007

The second meeting of the Significance Committee took place on 10 January. Notes of the meeting will be available on the SMC website along with some FAQs - see http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/areas_of_work/sigschemeintro.asp
Museums that have submitted Notes of Interest should note that the closing date for applications to Round One is Monday 5 February at 5.00pm. Round Two will be launched at the end of February with a closing date for Notes of Interest of 31 May. Round Two will include guidance on making partnership applications. Meanwhile, any queries about the scheme can be directed to Significance Scheme Manager Mike Taylor.  E: [email protected]

A consultation meeting for SMC members to discuss the draft Culture Bill and to inform SMC�s response to the Bill will be held in February (venue and date to be confirmed).
The SMC contact for this is Planning and Partnership Development Manager Susan Jeffrey.  T: 0131 550 4134  E: [email protected]

SMC�s National Collections Development Strategy for Scotland�s Museums suggests that, if visitors and users are to relate or continue to be inspired by collections, museums need to regularly assess the knowledge they hold and share about them, and be prepared to invest in ways to enrich or augment it. To support this aim, SMC has begun work with a consultant to undertake a scoping exercise and establish the current extent, scope and value placed on all types of collections-based knowledge creation in member museums. No matter how large or small your organisation, we want to hear from you why your museum undertakes collections-based study or research, who actually does the work and what happens to the information or knowledge you create.
During February, your museum will receive a short electronic survey which we hope you will complete and return by the end of the month. Your participation will contribute to the sector�s greater shared understanding of Scotland�s collections. Key findings will be made available in a discussion paper shortly afterwards. For more details of this scoping exercise or to request your copy of A National Collections Development Strategy for Scotland�s Museums, contact SMC Collections Development Manager Gillian Findlay. 
T: 0131 550 4126  E: [email protected]

Learning and Access Manager Helena Gillis has returned after maternity leave. Helena is now working part-time and will be in the SMC office on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Rhona Hamilton, who was Helena�s maternity cover, has left and is now working at the Highland Folk Museum.
External Programmes Development Manager Emma Jane McAdam has left SMC to take up the post of Project Curator with the University of St Andrews University Museum Collections.
Contact details for SMC staff can be found on the web at http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/about/staff_intro.asp

Fiona Wilson, formerly access and learning officer at Dumfries Museum, has been appointed as MA/SMC Development Officer for Scotland. She will concentrate on collections and workforce development, taking forward the SMC's Collections Development and Workforce Development strategies and implementing the MA's Collections for the Future report in Scotland. Fiona will also be promoting the MA's professional development programmes in Scotland and working to foster cross-border understanding, developing contacts with museums across Scotland and liaising with the MA in London. To contact Fiona, e-mail [email protected] or telephone 07901 534927.

Backed by The Monument Trust, the MA is working on a pilot scheme to fund a number of Fellowships of six to 12 months duration, allowing retired curators to provide advice and training to museums. It is envisaged that there will be 12 Fellowships over three years, worth �153,000 in total. Full details of the scheme will be published and applications invited in Spring 2007. Meantime, the MA is keen to talk to curators coming up for retirement who might be interested in participating. For further details, contact Helen Wilkinson at the MA.  E: [email protected]

The Royal Society of Edinburgh is seeking to initiate a programme for research awards in the Arts and Humanities. As the 1st stage of a 3-year development phase for this programme, the RSE will fund two Research Workshops in 2007-8 to promote collaborative research. The funds can be used for organising colloquia, seminars, conferences, workshops or inviting distinguished visiting scholars/practitioners to Scotland. Each award is worth �10,000. For details of the nature of the awards and of the application procedure, see the website
http://www.royalsoced.org.uk/research_fellowships/Arts_and_Humanities.htm
or contact Anne Fraser.  T: 0131240 5013.  E: [email protected]
Closing date 1 February.

HLF has launched a consultation on a proposal, announced in October, to help museums and galleries develop their collections. An investment of �3m is intended to support acquisitions, curatorial skills, research and increased activities for the public. Individual museums and galleries or small consortia such as those with a shared collecting interest are encouraged to apply for support to develop their collections. Whilst applications must include plans for acquiring objects within a chosen field, museums and galleries will not need to identify individual items in advance. Organisations will also be asked to show how they will increase public involvement and enjoyment of their collections. For details, telephone the HLF information line on 020 7591 6042 or see http://www.hlf.org.uk/English/PublicationsAndInfo/AccessingPublications/Museums+and+Galleries+Collections+Development+Initiative.htm
Responses should be e-mailed, by 2 February, to [email protected]

Recent Heritage Lottery Fund awards include �49,000 to the Living Memory Association for an oral history project to record the changing experience of social drinking and the history of the drinks industry in Edinburgh. An archive created out of material collected will be housed within the social history collections of Edinburgh City Museums and will also be made available through an exhibition, book, DVD and website.

The Charity Awards recognise outstanding performance in the leadership and management of charities and promote best practice. The Awards have ten categories, one of which is Arts, Culture and Heritage. See www.charityawards.co.uk for details. Nominations are welcome from charities of any size from throughout the UK. The deadline for entries is 16 March.

The Esm�e Fairbairn Foundation expects to make grants of �29 million across the UK in 2007. The Foundation makes grants through four programme areas: Arts & Heritage; Education; Environment; and Social Change: Enterprise and Independence. For details, see www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk or contact the Foundation.  T: 0207 297 4700  E: [email protected]
Applications, which must be for charitable purposes, can be made at any time.

This training fund in memory of the Association of Independent Museum�s former Executive Secretary can help AIM members with funds towards course fees, accommodation and travelling costs, up to a maximum of �150.
Contact Michael Cates.  T: 01843 588554  E: [email protected]

The programme aims to help to train and develop leaders for the cultural sector in the UK. Each year, a number of Clore Fellows undertake an individual programme of learning, work, research, training, and secondment, designed to develop their leadership skills and experience. Applications for the 2007/8 Fellowships are now open.  T: 020 7420 9430  E: [email protected]  W: www.cloreleadership.org
The closing date for applications is 19 February.

Cultureuro Seminar
23 January, Edinburgh
�85
Information on European cultural co-operation and funding opportunities.
See www.euclid.info

Culture 2007 Workshop
24 January, Edinburgh
�22
Assistance for those considering making an application to the Culture 2007 funding programme.
See www.euclid.info

Collections Care Training
30 January, Forres / 6 February, Glasgow / 13 February, Montrose
�85
How to handle, clean and care for historic interiors and artefacts.
Clare Meredith, National Trust for Scotland.  E: [email protected]

Working with Young People. GEM/SMC Grass Roots Project Training
2 February, Edinburgh
�30 for SMC and GEM members, �60 for non-members
How to consult with young people effectively and integrate their ideas and suggestions into our daily activities.
Calum Price, GEM/SMC Learning Development Officer.  T: 07878 737507 
E: [email protected]  W: http://www.gem.org.uk/grassroots/gr_index.html

Accentuate the Positive: New Strategies for Workforce Diversity
2 February, London
�100 for MA members, �175 for non-members
Positive-action schemes and how museums can develop an integrated approach that brings real change.
Museum Association Events.  T: 020 7426 6940  E: [email protected]  W: http://www.museumsassociation.org/13175

Crafting the Arts
2-3 February, Edinburgh
�50 for small arts/voluntary groups, �60 for large arts/voluntary groups, �100 for statutory organisations / private non-arts organisations, �135 for local authority officers
How developments happening on the policy front - changes such as culture being part of community planning, cultural entitlements and the new Creative Scotland agency - will affect you / how you can support local groups to carry out their activities.
Voluntary Arts Scotland.  T: 0131 225 7355  E: [email protected]
W: http://www.vascotland.org.uk/cgi-bin/website.cgi?tier1=scotland&tier2=VAScotland%20Conference&fp=true

Get the Picture!
8 February, Beamish Open Air Museum
�15
Northern Federation for Museums Social History panel and Social History Curators Group joint study day on the care and use of photographic and film collections: identification of types of photographs; storage and conservation; using moving film; and dating and identifying the content of photographs.
Jenny Brown, Beamish Museum.  T: 0191 3704060  E: [email protected]

Collection Basics: Introduction to Pest Management
20 February, Edinburgh
Free of charge
Awareness of the damage insects and other pests can cause to collections, how all staff can help to prevent serious damage, and how museum curators can implement good procedures like object quarantine and a pest management programme.
Clare McIntyre, National Museums Scotland.  E: [email protected]

Introduction to Good Governance
21 February, Inverness
�60 for SCVO members, �90 for non-member voluntary organisations, �125 for others
The main responsibilities of governing bodies in voluntary organisations and general and specialist roles within them.
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

Engaging and Equipping Front Line Gallery Staff in Interpretation Methods and Care of Audiences
22 February, Dundee
�30 for engage freelance/personal members, �40 for engage organisational members, �50 for non-members
Ways in which art galleries and arts organisations are working with their front of house staff and volunteers to engage with audiences.
Sarah Yearsley, engage Scotland Coordinator.  E: [email protected]

Object Handling and Packing
26 February, London
How to assess objects; identify how and where best to support them; use the right equipment and materials; and ensure the safety of objects and handlers.
Museum Association Events.  T: 020 7426 6940  E: [email protected]  W: http://www.museumsassociation.org/13177

Child Protection. GEM/SMC Grass Roots Project Training
7 March, Stirling / 8 March, Inverness
�30 for SMC and GEM members, �60 for non-members
What is child protection?  What should we have in place?  How should we write a policy to suit the size and nature of our museum?
Calum Price, GEM/SMC Learning Development Officer.  T: 07878 737507  E: [email protected]  W: http://www.gem.org.uk/grassroots/gr_index.html

Financial Governance and Understanding Accounts
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

Pure and Applied � Challenges in Research
8 March, London
�145
This conference will address challenges in collecting and interpreting data in the cultural sector for the benefit of users in development, marketing, fundraising and planning.
E: [email protected]

Introduction to Museum Ethics
9 March, Glasgow
�35 for SMC member museums� volunteers, places supported by The Binks Trust,
�50 for SMC / ASVA members, �75 for non-members
The key ethical issues in the changing landscapes of museums.
Training, SMC.  T: 0131 550 4112  E: [email protected]
W: http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/areas_of_work/training/training_programme.asp

Crowded House: Rethinking Stored Collections
15 March, Manchester
�110 for MA members, �185 for non-members
How stored collections can be used in new and dynamic ways, including open stores, public access to stores for visits and research, long-term loans, in-gallery conservation of stored objects and the online presentation of objects in store.
Museum Association Events.  T: 020 7426 6940  E: [email protected]  W: http://www.museumsassociation.org/13176

Access All Areas: Creative & Cultural Skills On the Road
21 March, Edinburgh
Free of charge
Creative & Cultural Skills is consulting employers and training providers, giving an opportunity to influence and shape the supply of skills and education. It is also an opportunity to find out more about the industry�s Sector Skills Agreement, Creative Apprenticeships, Creative Knowledge Lab, the new Creative & Media Diploma and the Cultural Leadership Programme.
E: [email protected]  W: http://www.ccskills.org.uk/news/events.asp

The Vital Spark. Interpretation. Call for Papers
1-3 October, Aviemore
Proposals are invited for presentations and workshops inspired by the conference title The Vital Spark or by one of the conference themes:

• ?the vital spark: interpretation as a driver for cultural regeneration
• creativity and innovation: interpreting remote and fragile areas
• voices in interpretation: languages, cultures and communities
• ?authenticity and re-interpretation: traditional icons in the 21st century.

Proposals can be submitted via the conference website www.thevitalspark2007.org.uk, through www.solas-events.co.uk or by e-mail to [email protected]
Proposals must arrive by 12 February.