SMC e-bulletin

SMC Monthly e-bulletin June 2007

One year following our office move, we are still receiving some mail re-directed from Torphichen Street. We would be very grateful if you would check your mailing lists to ensure you are using our new address which is Scottish Museums Council, The Stack, Papermill Wynd, McDonald Road, Edinburgh EH7 4QL.

The electronic version of the recently published SMC guide entitled Hands On � Learning from Objects and Paintings: A Teacher�s Guide will be available later this month.
Hands On is a step-by-step guide to working with objects to promote enjoyment and develop learning skills in young people and it is aimed at early years and primary educators.
If you would like to access the guide when available, please e-mail [email protected]

SMC has renewed our contract with the Scottish Conservation Studio and so members will continue to enjoy free, technical conservation advice. We will be developing new training courses with them over the next year to align with the Accreditation standard, so look out for more details on those.
You can contact the conservators with your enquiries on 0131 331 5875 or e-mail [email protected]
Also, congratulations to the Scottish Conservation Studio on being one of three projects short-listed for the prestigious Conservation Awards, the �Oscars� of the conservation world. They have been short-listed for their meticulous work to conserve and display in Perth Museum and Art Gallery, an elegant and rare silk early 17th-century doublet.
The winners will be announced at the British Museum on 27 September.

Congratulations to Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery for making it to the final of the Gulbenkian Museums and Galleries Prize. The prize was won by Pallant House Gallery in Chichester, home to a fine collection of modern British art, for its �8.6m modern gallery extension, however, a public poll on the four short-listed entries conducted by the 24 Hour Museum website was overwhelmingly won by the Kelvingrove New Century Project!

Collections Link, the UK-national advisory service for collections management run by MDA and supported by SMC, is celebrating its first year with publication of its third Collections Link Newsletter and new content on its website. This includes online access to the SMC CAT (condition assessment tool), a new section on emergency planning and downloadable editions of the entire MGC Standards in the Museum Care of Collections Series. Remember � you can telephone or e-mail Collections Link for one-to-one collections management advice.
Collections Link.  T: 0845 838 4000  W: http://www.collectionslink.org.uk

The new Scottish Collections Managers Forum held its second meeting recently at the Marischal Museum in Aberdeen. Nearly thirty people from museums around Scotland participated in the event, which provided opportunities to hear about current collections development initiatives, share information on useful resources and get an update on what the two working groups have been investigating � use of collections terminology and collections management legal queries.
The Group is keen to widen its membership to involve anyone with a responsibility for managing collections in Scotland�s museums. To find out more, or to add your name to the free e-mail discussion list, email Pam Kerr at National Museums Scotland.
E: [email protected]

Linda Fabiani, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, will announce the first round of Recognised Collections of National Significance on Monday, 25 June.

Welcome to Sally Wainwright (Learning and Access Manager) and Katherine Dunn (Administrative Assistant) who have both recently joined SMC.
Anja-Maaike Green (Learning and Access Manager) has moved to a new position at the Scottish Executive and Catriona Murray (External Programmes Manager) has also left to take up a new role as PR Manager at Halogen. Dylan Edgar (ICT Development Manager) is on secondment to the London Museums Hub where he will be responsible for their ICT strategy.
Up to date contact details for SMC staff can be found at http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/about/staff_intro.asp

This year, the Scottish Arts Council�s curatorial development funds are geared towards strengthening the Visual Arts network within Scotland and bringing people together to allow partnerships to evolve naturally. SAC hopes this will encourage knowledge retention within the sector and ensure that Scotland continues to be recognised nationally and internationally as a centre of excellence in the visual arts. This year�s events have been chosen for their strategic and cultural importance, and include a visit to the Pier Arts Centre, Documenta 12/Munster Sculpture Projects, the Venice Biennale and Frieze.
For details, guidelines and application forms, contact Stephen Palmer, Visual Arts Officer, Scottish Arts Council, 12 Manor Place, Edinburgh EH3 7DD.
T: 0131 226 6051
Applications should reach the Scottish Arts Council by 5pm on Friday 15 June 2007.

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.
The following cases have been claimed by the Crown. Registered museums interested in bidding should request case details from Stuart Campbell, Treasure Trove, e-mail [email protected]
TT.12/07  Medieval and later material, Castle of Old Wick, Highland.
TT.13/07  Cannonball fragment and medieval pot sherds, Tantallon Castle, East Lothian.
TT.14/07  Medieval and later material, Kisimul Castle, Barra, Western Isles.
TT.15/07  Cannonball fragment and stone spindle whorl, Craigmillar Castle, Edinburgh.
TT.16/07  Collection of 19th century pottery, Peterculter, Aberdeenshire.
TT.17/07  Collection of post-medieval pottery, Potterland Farm, Dumfries and Galloway.
TT.18/07  Collection of 18-19th century pottery, West Pans Pottery, East Lothian.
TT.19/07  Medieval excavation assemblage, Old Caerlaverock Castle, Dumfries and Galloway.
TT.20/07  Neolithic excavation assemblage, Camster Long Cairn, Highland.
TT.21/07  19-20th century excavation assemblage, Arnol, Isle of Lewis.
TT.22/07  Assemblage of prehistoric pitchstone objects, Isle of Bute, Argyll and Bute.
TT.23/07  LBA/EIA assemblage, Melrose, Scottish Borders.
TT.24/07  Medieval material, Glamis Castle, Angus.

Recent Your Heritage grants for projects marking the bicentenary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade include

• �50,000 to Heartstone Scotland, based in Dingwall, to create four exhibitions. A high profile exhibition will take place at Edinburgh�s City Art Centre. Three smaller satellite exhibitions will tour every local authority in Scotland. Local authorities will encourage schools and groups to research local connections to slavery and create interpretative material.
• �9,800 to The Cromarty Courthouse Museum Trust to create a touring exhibition exploring the slave trade in the Highlands.
• �9,600 to the City of Edinburgh Council for a project which will increase awareness of Edinburgh�s role in the slave trade and in the abolition movement. An exhibition will be held in the Museum of Edinburgh bringing together items from its various collections which either have a direct link to the slave trade or depict the items typically traded internationally.

The Heritage Lottery Fund is offering pre-application support to organisations interested in developing Remembering Slavery projects. For details on the initiative, go to http://www.hlf.org.uk/English/Features/RememberingSlavery/
HLF has also compiled a guidance document for applications to their small grants programme � to obtain a copy, contact Annabel Bath, Development Officer, HLF.  T: 0131 240 1586.  E: [email protected]

Museums Journal is looking for people to review new and redeveloped museums and galleries and temporary exhibitions in Scotland. If you would like to be considered, please send or e-mail a short CV (including any particular areas of expertise) and an example of your writing to Simon Stephens, Deputy Editor, Museums Journal, 24 Calvin St, London E1 6NW.  T: 020 7426 6920  E: [email protected]

The Association of Independent Museums has revised its FOCUS paper ICT for Museums. The paper is designed particularly for smaller museums and gives practical advice on topics such as specifying computers, buying software, choosing a collections management system, using and managing e-mail, and planning a website.
The paper can be downloaded from the AIM website at http://www.aim-museums.co.uk/images/cms/focus-papers/ICT%20for%20Museums.pdf

Submissions have been called for a new initiative, managed by Shape and engage (the National Association for Gallery Education), for clusters of between two and four galleries to form a partnership to participate in a pilot programme from June/July 2007 to July 2008. The initiative aims to provide better access to the visual arts and galleries for deaf and disabled people, and to improve knowledge and understanding of their visitor needs and to create programmes that are more inclusive, accessible and welcoming to deaf and disabled people.
Applications can be discuss with Jane Sillis, Director of engage.
Proposals should be submitted by 18 June 2007 to Alex Hitchins, engage, Suite AG, City Cloisters, 196 Old Street, London EC1V 9FR.  E: [email protected]

A gentleman with two 1930�s vacuum cleaners, one with its original set of tools contacted us recently, trying to track down someone who had expressed an interest in them for his museum. If you are interested in acquiring the cleaners, please telephone Mr Taylor on 01968 678041.

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 a place, contact Mary Phelps, VSG Administration.  T: 020 8392 2357  E: [email protected]

Local Authority � Friend or Foe? AIM Annual Conference
21 - 23 June, Ironbridge
�50 for AIM members, �85 for non-members
A look at the realities of working with your Local Authority and how to make the most of it. The conference will also look at the concept of Social Enterprise and new ways of operating to deliver core purpose. How does it affect independent museums?
AIM Administration.  T: 02392 587751  E: [email protected]  W: http://www.aim-museums.co.uk/aim-conference.htm

Preventive Conservation Forum. Identifying and Managing Museum Pests
27 June, Edinburgh
Free of charge
Discussion about how to prevent and control pest activity, how to identify common pests, and what�s involved in setting up a cost-effective and safe Integrated Pest Management system.
Katie Simes, Preventive Conservation Officer, NMS.  T: 0131 247 4141  E: [email protected]

Changing Rooms: Successful Redisplay
3 July, London
�110 for MA members, �185 for non-members
The principles and practicalities of undertaking a redisplay, including some of the reasons for redisplay such as changing visitor needs and expectations and providing for different learning styles and varying ways of communicating with the visitor.
Museums Association.  T: 020 7426 6940  E: [email protected]

Too Hot to Handle? Exploring Emotive Issues in Social History
5 � 7 July, Sheffield and Hull
�230 for SHCG members, �250 for non-members
How social history museums can interpret controversial and emotive subjects, including those that disturb and affect, or subjects that are more difficult to enable the public to engage with.
Zelda Baveystock, ICCHS, Bruce Building, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU.  T: 0191 222 3858  E: [email protected]

Community Oral Histories
6 - 7 July, London
�80 for Oral History Society members, �95 for non-members
The conference will bring together community organisations, museums, libraries and archives, schools and universities to present their work and debate the nature, challenges and achievements of community oral histories.
For details, contact Rob Perks, e-mail [email protected] or Annette Day, e-mail [email protected]  W: http://www.ohs.org.uk/conferences/2007.php

Introduction to Pest Management
17 July, Dundee
Free of charge
An NMS Knowledge Exchange Workshop which aims to improve participants� general awareness of the damage insects and other pests can cause to the collections and show how all staff can help to prevent serious damage. It will also suggest how museum curators can implement good procedures like object quarantine and a pest management programme for responsible collections management.
Andrea Hallam, Tayside RDCF.  E: [email protected]  W: http://www.nms.ac.uk/introductiontopestmanagement.aspx

Object Assessment and Condition Reporting
17 July, London
�150 for MA members, �200 for non-members

• How to feel confident undertaking a condition inspection.
• How to describe objects �what to record and what to ignore.
• Assessing objects and writing reports, including creating and marking up photographs.
• How condition reporting fits into the loans process and the requirements of the Government Indemnity Scheme.
• How to use different reporting forms for different situations and institutions.

Museums Association.  T: 020 7426 6940  E: [email protected]

Tailor Made. Arts Marketing
25-27 July, Edinburgh
�367 for AMA members, �449 for non-members
This conference about developing made to measure strategies for the arts will see arts marketers, managers and directors come together to debate the future of the arts, hear about new ideas and network with other arts professionals.
Arts Marketing Association.  T: 01223 578078  E: [email protected]  W: http://www.a-m-a.co.uk/conference07.asp

Using Generic Learning Outcomes in Exhibition Planning
9 August, Perth
Free of charge
This NMS Knowledge Exchange Workshop will be an opportunity to hear about NMS experience and offer an introduction to using Generic Learning Outcomes (GLOs). The GLO system uses five principles of learning outcomes to categorise the personal learning outcomes that users of museums, archives and libraries describe and experience.
Andrea Hallam, Tayside RDCF.  E: [email protected]  W: http://www.nms.ac.uk/usingglosinexhibitionplanning.aspx

Introduction to Visitor Studies and Evaluation
3 September, Forfar
Free of charge
An NMS Knowledge Exchange Workshop to share NMS experience of the value of visitor studies and evaluation through recent case studies. It will explain the process of evaluation and share tools and scenarios for participants to use in their local situation.
Andrea Hallam, Tayside RDCF.  E: [email protected]  W: http://www.nms.ac.uk/introductiontovisitorstudiesandevaluation.aspx

Trustee Training
6 September, 2 - 5 pm, Edinburgh / 27 November, 2 - 5 pm, Glasgow
�55
Arts & Business Scotland training examining the roles and responsibilities of board members in the cultural sector.
Pennie McIntyre, A&B Scotland.  T: 0131 220 2499  E: [email protected]  W: http://www.aandb.org.uk

The Grand Tour and Its Influence on Architecture, Artistic Taste and Patronage
15-18 September, Edinburgh
Cost dependent on events to be attended
This Europa Nostra UK conference includes a lecture on the influence of the Grand Tour on art collecting in Britain, as well as talks, discussions, themed visits and receptions.
Lester Borley, 4 Belford Place, Edinburgh EH4 3DH.  T: 0131 332 2364  E: [email protected]

Learning Styles: Engaging Visitors as Individuals
20 September, Manchester
�110 for MA members, �185 for non-members
An exploration of developments in learning theory and case studies of groundbreaking practice in the field. Fundamental to these developments is the notion of learning styles, which underpins initiatives such as Inspiring Learning For All (ILFA). Speakers will look at new ways of providing multi-sensory learning experiences for visitors of all backgrounds. It will also examine the relationship between initiatives such as ILFA and the collections agenda, as outlined in Collections for the Future.
Museums Association.  T: 020 7426 6940  E: [email protected]

The Vital Spark
30 September � 3 October, Aviemore
�245
Interpret Scotland and the Association for Heritage Interpretation are jointly hosting this international conference about heritage interpretation. The themes are:

• The Vital Spark: interpretation as the 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.

Vital Spark 2007 Conference, Solas Business Services Ltd, Unit 26/B2, Kyle Industrial Estate, Kyle of Lochalsh, Ross-shire, UK, IV40 8AH.  T: 01599 534999  W: http://www.thevitalspark2007.org.uk