SMC e-bulletin

SMC Monthly e-bulletin April 2007

SMC wishes to appoint a new Chair of its Board of Directors from autumn 2007.
This is an opportunity to lead a Board committed to SMC�s vision of a welcoming museums and galleries sector that opens doors and celebrates collections, inspiring creativity, learning and enjoyment for all.
Responsibilities include helping to represent the SMC nationally and chairing five Board meetings a year and the AGM.
We are looking for someone who is committed to the museum sector and has Chair or Chief Executive level experience with a public agency or major company with a Scottish profile.
The position is not remunerated but expenses are reimbursed.
For details, contact SMC Executive Assistant Emma Davies.
T: 0131 550 4122
E: [email protected]
The closing date: noon on Friday 18 May 2007.

SMC submitted a response to the Scottish Executive�s Draft Culture (Scotland) Bill and Guidance Consultation, for the consultation deadline of 31 March 2007.
The response was informed by SMC members� comments, from our consultation day on 1 March. SMC thanks all who attended the event for their invaluable contribution.
The SMC response is on the SMC website at http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/pdfs/SMC_response_to_draft_culture_bill.pdf

This Scottish Executive scheme managed by SMC will, for the first time, recognise collections of national significance held by Scotland�s non-national museums and galleries.
Round 2 of the Significance Scheme opened on 10 April.
Round 2 allows for partnership applications. Partners will be expected to demonstrate that a particular �distributed� collection is managed in a coordinated way and that its status is recognised by partners and key stakeholders.
The closing date for notes of interest is 31 May.
For details and to download related forms, see the SMC website at http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/areas_of_work/sigschemeintro.asp
or contact Significance Scheme Manager Mike Taylor.  E: [email protected]

The three SMC member museum events presented by SMC at this year�s Tartan Week in New York were very successful at raising the profile of Scottish museums and establishing new American / Scottish cultural links.
A meeting on Ellis Island between lead American and Scottish museum, library and archive organisations also provided keen support for the development of the Scottish Emigration Museum project.
For details of the Tartan Week events, see http://scottishmuseums.org.uk/pdfs/Tartan_Week_brochure.pdf
More information to follow in the next edition of our quarterly magazine MG:Q.

The Show Scotland creative cultural events weekend celebrating Scotland�s museums and galleries will take place over the Bank Holiday weekend Friday 4 - Monday 7 May. Led by SMC, the events offer visitors from home and abroad a fun and exciting programme to entertain, amuse and inspire. For details, see http://www.showscotland.com

SMC, in collaboration with Glasgow Museums, has produced Hands On, a guide aimed at helping early years and primary school educators with object-based learning.
Throughout the guide, links are made between object-based learning activities and A Curriculum for Excellence.
The authors of the guide, Janice Lane and Anne Wallace of Glasgow Museums, will be facilitating training sessions to provide information and guidance on using the publication. The sessions will be held in
Dundee (Discovery Point) on 16 May
Glasgow (Kelvingrove) on 17 May
Aberdeen (Aberdeen Maritime Museum) on 31 May
Edinburgh (The Engine Shed) on 8 June.
To register to attend, please e-mail [email protected]

The Summer issue of MG:Q will focus on learning and editor Sarah Burry-Hayes would be pleased to receive museum case studies or other contributions from member museums and key stakeholders. Please e-mail Sarah with suggestions which can be considered for inclusion.  E: [email protected]

Congratulations to Kelvingrove on its New Century Project being included on the shortlist for the �100,000 2007 Gulbenkian Prize. The others on the list are Kew Palace in London, Pallant House Gallery in Chichester, and Sheffield�s Weston Park Museum.
The eventual winner will be announced on 24 May.

The UK Branch of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation recognises and initiates innovative ideas. In any one year, the Foundation focuses on a few specific priorities. For 2007, the priorities are Arts; Education; Social Change and Anglo-Portuguese Cultural Relations.
Initial proposals should be submitted at least two months before trustee meetings held in the first week of March, July and November each year.
For details contact the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, UK Branch, 98 Portland Place, London WIB 1ET.  T: 0207 636 5313  E: [email protected]  W: http://www.gulbenkian.org.uk

HLF is inviting applications for funding to its new museums and galleries collections development initiative Collecting Cultures from 23 April 2007. Collecting Cultures will support acquisitions, curatorial skills, research and increased activities for the public.
A total of �3 million is available, for grants from �50,000 to �200,000 and projects that run for up to five years. Applications will be handled under the normal HLF Heritage Grants process, with additional guidance provided to help applicants. Guidance notes will be available on the HLF website from 23 April and applications can be submitted between 23 April and 1 November 2007. Decisions will be made in May 2008.
W: http://www.hlf.org.uk/English/MediaCentre/Archive/Collecting+Cultures.htm

On 25 May at The Gathering, Scotland's charity and voluntary sector summit in Glasgow, Awards for All will be looking to support projects which mark and build on the legacy of the Abolition of the UK Slave Trade. The search is on for innovative, creative projects from local community groups to be put up for quick assessment on the day. If you know of community groups / organisations that might be interested in applying or could be supported by your museum or gallery to house and enable the project, then please let them know about this opportunity.
For details, see http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/scotland/bicentenary.html
or contact SMC External Programmes Manager Catriona  Murray.  T: 0131 550 4142  E: [email protected]

Rosslyn Chapel has been awarded �4.5m by HLF and Historic Scotland has given �2.68m towards a �13m restoration project.
The Museum of the University of St Andrews has been awarded �449,000 towards the preservation and display of some of the university�s oldest and most significant collections in a restored coach house.

Applications are invited for this year�s round of the June Baker Trust Awards for Conservators in Scotland.
The June Baker Trust was set up in 1990 to help individuals working in the conservation of historic and artistic artefacts in Scotland, or training with the intention to do so.
Awards will be available towards travel, attendance at conferences and on short courses, purchase of equipment, or other suitable projects. Awards are usually in the region of �100-�300.
Application forms are available from the Chairman.  Please write to Priscilla Ramsey, Chairman, June Baker Trust, Goose Croft House, Kintore, Aberdeenshire AB51 0US.
The deadline for receipt of applications is 31 May. Awards will be announced 1 July.

The next meeting of the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel will be on 4 July 2007. The deadline for bids is Wednesday 13 June 2007.
Please refer to the Treasure Trove website http://www.treasuretrovescotland.co.uk
New cases will be advertised on the website and will continue to be advertised in the SMC e-bulletin.
The following cases have been claimed by the Crown and will come before the Panel on 4 July. Case details are available on request from accredited/registered museums.
TT.109/06 EBA decorated axehead fragment, New Abbey, Dumfries & Galloway.
TT.1/07 Two prehistoric flint tools, Arthur�s Seat, Edinburgh.
TT.2/07 Neolithic stone axehead, Newburgh, Fife.
TT.3/07 Two enamelled Roman brooch fragments, Burghead, Moray.
TT.4/07 Neolithic carved stone ball, Newburgh, Fife.
TT.5/07 Early Historic carved stone (fragment), Old Luce, Dumfries & Galloway.
TT.6/07 Early Bronze Age flint tool, Garmouth, Moray.
Jenny Shiels, Treasure Trove Administrator, National Museums of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF. E: [email protected]

UK Museums and Galleries (outside London and Edinburgh) are being offered 100% grants towards the acquisition of international contemporary works of art in a new scheme launched by The Art Fund. Art Fund International is aimed at developing collections of international contemporary art in UK regional museums and galleries working in partnership with at least one other organisation with expertise in contemporary visual art. The scheme is designed to fund 100% grants towards the acquisition of works of art.
Expressions of Interest are invited from institutions wishing to participate in the scheme. The deadline for submission is noon on Friday 22 June 2007 but any institution wishing to participate is asked to contact The Art Fund as soon as possible.
For details, see: http://www.artfund.org/grants/artfundinternational.html

These awards celebrate creativity and excellence in partnerships between business and the arts. Nominations will be judged on the quality of the relationship established between the business and the arts partners, whether cash or in-kind. The innovative nature in achieving the commercial goals of the business and the artistic goals of the arts partner will also be taken into account.
The major part of the partnership must have taken place between 1 March 2006 and 28 February 2007.
Arts & Business Scotland.  T. 0131 220 2499  E. [email protected]
See http://www.AandB.org.uk/Scotland for guidelines and nomination form.
The deadline for nominations is noon on Friday 11 May 2007.

The Scottish Executive has provided Arts & Business with a further �350,000 in 2007/8 to encourage new business sponsorship of museums and the arts. Match funding of �1 for �1, based on a minimum sponsorship of �1,000 (cash or in kind) and up to a maximum of �50,000, is available.
To be eligible, the business must be sponsoring the arts in Scotland for the first time, or must not have sponsored the arts in Scotland since 31 March 2003. The application must be made at least 3 months in advance of the sponsored activity, and within 6 months of the start date of the sponsored activity.
Last year Dunfermline Heritage Trust received an award of �3,000 matching sponsorship by Sound Control Holdings and the Hunterian Museum received �5,000 matching sponsorship by Keppie Design.
Please note that, as this scheme is being run on a first-come basis, funds may run out during the year and so early application is advisable.
For guidelines and the application form, see the A&B Scotland website at http://www.AandB.org.uk/Scotland or contact Katriona Holmes at A&B. 
T: 0131 220 2499  E: [email protected]

The Museums Association, funded by The Monument Trust, has launched a �150,000 programme of fellowships for retired or soon-to-retire museum professionals, aimed at capturing their unrecorded collections-related knowledge. The funding will pay for 12 fellowships of between 50 and 100 days, spread over 6 to 12 months, with fellows being paid �100 a day to return to their museum to pass on specialist knowledge to their successors. For details, see http://www.museumsassociation.org/asset_arena/text/ia/monument_informationandcriteria.doc or contact Helen Wilkinson at the MA. T: 020 7426 6954  E: [email protected]
The closing date for applications is 1 June 2007. There will be a further round in 2008.

Do you teach or communicate the history of science, technology or medicine to under-18s or the wider public? Do you want to know more about cutting edge learning resources and techniques in the field? If so, you could be eligible for a bursary to attend the Outreach Day on 30 June at the BSHS Annual Conference in Manchester.
While the registration fee for day's events is �46, bursary recipients will pay only a nominal fee of �5. The �41 bursaries will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so you are advised to apply as soon as possible.
See http://www.bshs.org.uk/bshs/outreach/outreach_day_bursaries

The Forum is an informal, free-to-join group open to anyone with an interest in preventive conservation and collections care. The main purpose is to provide an e-mail discussion network where members can share useful information, experiences and advice. The Forum also arranges several meetings each year to discuss various topics or to visit museums and stores. The contact for the Forum is Katie Simes, Preventive Conservation Officer at NMS.  E: [email protected]
The programme for 2007 is

• Don�t Panic! Dealing with Hazards in Museum Collections. 4 May, Grangemouth. Contact Emma Roodhouse.  T: 07977 939 141  E: [email protected]
• Identifying and Managing Museum Pests. 27 June, Edinburgh. Contact Katie Simes.  T: 0131 247 4141  E: [email protected]
• Visit to the Museum on the Mound. 29 October, Edinburgh. Contact Doug MacBeath.  T: 0131 243 5445  E: [email protected]
• Practice makes Perfect? The Value of Emergency Situation Mock-ups. 22 November, Edinburgh. (To be confirmed)  Contact Jacky MacBeath.  T: 0131 651 4784  E: [email protected]

Lorraine Hesketh-Campbell, Northeast Regional Conservator for National Trust Scotland based at Castle Fraser, is keen to set up a group for locally based museum volunteers, conservators, collections care professionals and curators who have an interest in collections care. It would involve meeting every 2-3 months at one of the member museums to discuss and debate issues, give talks, share knowledge and experience and generally raise preventive conservation awareness in this region.
Anyone interested should e-mail Lorraine at [email protected]

A new SMF website contains information on events, grants, committee members and much more. See http://www.smf-online.org

The Modern Materials in Collections: Scotland group, launched November 2006, aims to

• support informed and confident decision making for modern materials in museum/art collections
• identify key issues facing stewardship of modern materials in museum/art collections
• promote, encourage and advance collecting of modern materials.

MMiC:S now has a blog and invites your comments and postings on relevant issues.
This is intended to provoke discussion about the care and collecting of modern materials in museum collections and to highlight news, events and articles.
See http://mmics.wordpress.com
For information about the group, please contact MMiC:S Co-ordinator Emma Roodhouse.  T: 01324 504689  E: [email protected]

As part of the Cultural Leadership Programme, current and emerging creative and cultural leaders looking to make a difference to their business performance through improved leadership skills are invited to become part of a pioneering network informing the development of the Creative Knowledge Lab, the UK�s first comprehensive online resource for the creative and cultural industries.
In preparation for the launch of Creative Knowledge Lab later this year, you can now apply for two learning and career development opportunities.

• The E-Learning Pilot will provide flexible access to online learning options targeted at your specific leadership requirements. By taking part in this pilot you will have an opportunity to improve your management and leadership skills in key competency areas; and have unlimited access to a pool of e-resources for the duration of the pilot.
• The E-Assessment Pilot will help you understand your current skills and highlight areas of improvement. The pilot offers you an opportunity to undertake a 360 degree assessment of your leadership style; undertake a learning styles assessment; and receive one to one feedback on the diagnostic results.

Access to online assessment tools and e-learning is free. In return, you will be helping to inform the development of the Creative Knowledge Lab, making sure it meets the needs of real leaders in the real world.
You can participate in either the e-learning or the e-assessment pilot.
Visit http://www.culturalleadership.org.uk for more information and to apply.
The deadline for applications is noon on 30 April 2007.

Scottish Museums Federation Spring Meeting
23 April, Perth
Free of charge for SMF members, �10 for non-members (includes membership for 2007)
The meeting will focus on the new national Significance Scheme managed by SMC. Other presentations will include a review of projects for the Year of Highland Culture, a masterclass on natural history collections, and a discussion on the sharing and management of knowledge in the Scottish museum sector.
To book, contact Joe Traynor.  T: 01389 772 011  E: joe.traynor@west-dunbarton/gov.uk

Investing in Volunteers and Volunteering Impact Assessment Toolkit
24 April, 9.30am � 12.30pm, Glasgow / 25 April, 1pm � 4pm, Edinburgh / 29 May, 10.30am � 1.30pm, Inverness / 31 May, 10.30am � 1.30pm, Dundee
Free of charge
Volunteer Development Scotland invites you to attend an information event to find out more about Investing in Volunteers and the Volunteering Impact Assessment Toolkit.
Investing in Volunteers is the UK Quality Standard which benchmarks organisations commitment to high quality volunteer involvement.
The Toolkit can help you gain a greater understanding of how and why volunteering works in your organisation. In addition, it can be used to gather evidence to support funding bids, quality systems and information on the organisations� impact.
VDS is offering a free copy of the Volunteering Impact Assessment Toolkit to the first 50 organisations which become members of VDS and register for Investing in Volunteers.
If you would like to attend, please contact Hazel McAlpine.  T: 01786 479593  W: [email protected]

Responding to Climate Change
25 April 2007, London
�50 for Icon members, �75 for non-members
Topics at the Institute of Conservation Care of Collections Group AGM and annual meeting will include discussion of the size of your carbon footprint and sustainability in heritage organisations.
E: [email protected]
W: http://www.icon.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=410&Itemid=16

Revisiting Collections
25 April, Edinburgh / 26 April, Perth
Free of charge
Revisiting Collections is a UK-wide programme which enables museums to

• engage with new audiences
• extend their understanding of their collections
• capture this knowledge as part of their internal systems.

MDA and SMC are running these introductory seminars to

• provide an overview of what Revisiting Collections is and how you can apply it in your museum
• inspire you to think about how you might extend your knowledge and understanding of your collections
• allow you to register your interest in becoming a Revisiting Collections pilot museum with SMC.

MDA.  T: 01223 415760  E: [email protected]  W: www.mda.org.uk/events.htm

A Place for Stories? Storytelling in the Built and Natural Heritage
28 April, Glasgow
The Scottish Storytelling Centre�s National Development Day will focus on the theme of stories in context: storytelling and the natural environment, storytelling and heritage, and stories in community development.
For information, contact Caroline Budge, Scottish Storytelling Centre.  T: 0131 652 3272  E: [email protected]
To book, telephone 0131 556 9579 or e-mail [email protected]
W: http://www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk

Don�t Panic! Dealing with Hazards in Museum Collections
5 May, Grangemouth
Free of charge
Asbestos, mercury, radio-active components� some collections feature objects and materials which require careful handling and considered access. This Preventive Conservation Forum meting will look at how hazardous materials can be safely managed.
Emma Roodhouse.  T: 07977 939 141  E: [email protected]

MDA Documentation Essentials
10 May, Edinburgh
�35 for SMC members� volunteers, �50 for SMC / ASVA members, �70 for non-members
An introduction to the basic principles of museum documentation, exploring the benefits of good documentation practice and the content of a simple but effective system. Topics covered include SPECTRUM, the Accreditation Scheme, object entry, accessioning, marking and labelling, cataloguing, location and movement control, exit and loan. 
SMC Training.  T: 0131 550 4110  E: [email protected]
W: http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/pdfs/Training_Programme_May_-_June_2007.pdf

Going live: live interpretation in museums and historic buildings
10 May, London
�110 for MA members / �185 for non-members
How to use live interpretation imaginatively and effectively. The event will cover challenges in this field, including:

• maintaining both entertainment value and historical accuracy
• representing traumatic events
• using children as actors
• developing performances to meet differing learning needs
• incorporating museum objects into performances.

You will learn

• how to develop cost-effective, educationally sound, and sensitively handled live interpretation
• how to use live interpretation to develop new audiences
• how to measure and evaluate the impact of live interpretation.

Participants will have the opportunity to visit the Museums & Heritage Show where this event is taking place.
Museums Association.  T: 020 7426 6940  E: [email protected]
W: http://www.museumsassociation.org/events/goinglive

Museums Association CPD and Mentoring Events
14 May 10:00am - 12:30pm  Ethical problem solving
14 May 1:00pm - 4:00pm  Preparing for the professional review
15 May 10:00am - 12:30pm  Introduction to the AMA
15 May 1:00pm - 4:00pm  CPD paperwork
16 May 10:00am - 4:00pm  Introduction to Mentoring
16 May 12:45pm - 4:00pm  Mentor Refresher
All in Edinburgh
Free of charge
The professional qualification of Associateship of the Museums Association helps candidates to decide on development goals and then carry out activities to achieve them with support from a mentor, regional networks and the MA.
If you are working in or for a museum, then you can apply to do the AMA. It is a flexible programme. You do not need to be employed in a permanent, or paid, post and there are a number of different entry routes through work experience, postgraduate and SVQ qualifications.
Many candidates get financial support from their organisation to pursue the AMA but they can apply for financial assistance from the Trevor Walden Trust, the next deadline for which is the 1 June (there are 3 deadlines per year).
To book into a session or for more information, contact the professional development team at the MA.  T: 020 7426 6955  E: [email protected]

Safe and sound: new approaches to emergency planning
21 May, London
�110 for MA members / �185 for non-members
Museum buildings and collections face new threats. Climate change and terrorism add to the established risks from fire and flood and bring with them fresh challenges. This conference will present the latest thinking on preparing for and managing emergencies, assessing and minimising risk, working with emergency services and contributing to local partnerships.
Museums Association.  T: 020 7426 6940  E: [email protected]
W: http://www.museumsassociation.org/events/safeandsound

Oral History Training
1 June, Glasgow
�60
Sessions will include

• Introducing Oral History
• Planning, Project Design and Recruitment
• Questionnaire, Interview Guide and Interviewing
• Equipment and Technical Stuff
• Oral History Theory and Practice: Reflecting on interviewing and methodology
• Transcribing, Interview Summaries and Checking
• Consent; Copyright, Ethics and Archiving
• Using the Product.

For details / to enrol, contact Arthur McIvor.  T: 0141 548 2212  E: [email protected]

Care of Paper and Photographic Collections
7 June, Edinburgh
�35 for SMC members� volunteers, �85 for SMC / ASVA members,
�110 for non-members
An exploration of 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: 550 4110  E: [email protected]
W: http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/pdfs/Training_Programme_May_-_June_2007.pdf

Digital dialogues: using technology to personalise the visitor experience
15 June, London
�110 for MA members / �185 for non-members
Mobile phones, MP3 players, digital cameras and the internet are now mass consumer technologies. This conference will explore their potential to engage and inspire visitors and to support lifelong learning.
Museums Association.  T: 020 7426 6940  E: [email protected]
W: http://www.museumsassociation.org/events/digitaldialogues

Object handling and packing
21 June, Manchester
�150 for MA members / �200 for non-members
Loans in and out, movements out of store, new displays. There are many reasons why objects are moved, and correct handling and packing can reduce the risk of damage. This course will cover 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.
Museums Association.  T: 020 7426 6940  E: [email protected]
W: http://www.museumsassociation.org/events/objecthandlingandpacking

Evaluation � why bother? Using evaluation as a strategic tool
21 - 22 June, Edinburgh
�70 per day or �120 for both days for members / �80 per day or �140 for both days for non-members
The Visitor Studies Group summer school will include workshops on social outcomes, website evaluation and prototyping, a debate panel, and a �Marketplace of Ideas�.
For details, contact Jenni Fuchs at NMS.  E: [email protected]
To book, contact Mary Phelps, VSG Administration. T: 020 8392 2357  E: [email protected]

Identifying and Managing Museum Pests
27 June, Edinburgh
Free of charge
This Preventive Conservation Forum meeting will discuss prevention and control of pest activity in museums, exploring identifying common pests and what�s involved in setting up a cost-effective and safe Integrated Pest Management system.
Katie Simes.  T: 0131 247 4141  E: [email protected]