SMC e-bulletin

SMC Monthly e-bulletin July 2007

The national importance of ten collections cared for by museums and galleries across Scotland was recognised in an announcement of the first round of the Recognition Scheme made on 25 June at the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery by Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, Linda Fabiani.
Funded by the Scottish Executive and managed by SMC, the scheme celebrates, promotes and invests in nationally significant collections held outside the nationally run museums and galleries across Scotland.
The Recognised Collections are:

• The Archaeology Collection cared for by Dumfries and Galloway Museum Service
• The Collection of Historic Musical Instruments cared for by University of Edinburgh
• The Core Collection cared for by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society
• The Entire Collection cared for by the Burns Monument Trust
• The Entire Collection cared for by the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery
• The Entire Collection cared for by the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses
• The Entire Collection cared for by the Pier Arts Centre
• The Entire Collection cared for by the Scottish Fisheries Museum
• The Entire Collection cared for by the Scottish Maritime Museum
• The Entire Collection cared for by the Surgeons� Hall Museum.

To read the full press release from the announcement see the SMC website at http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/news/2007/Recognition.asp
Round 2 of the Recognition Scheme is now underway and Round 3 will open in December.
For details of how to apply, see http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/areas_of_work/recognitionschemeintro.asp
contact Recognition Scheme Manager Mike Taylor.  T: 0131 550 4137  E: [email protected]

SMC has introduced a bursary scheme which invites individuals working or volunteering in a member museum to apply for 75% project funding to enable in-house research into a poorly documented/researched Registered/Accredited collection.
A bursary could be used to support travel costs to attend relevant conferences and events, to enable shadowing or coaching sessions with collections specialists, or to disseminate findings.
For details, see the SMC website at http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/news/2007/Collectionsresearchbursar.asp
or contact SMC Collections Development Manager Gillian Findlay.  T: 0131 550 4126  E: [email protected]
Applications should be sent to SMC by 31 August.

A note for your diaries - this year�s SMC AGM will be held on Thursday 29 November.
Elections will be held for the posts of Chair, two local authority councillor directors, one independent director and one University director. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a member of the SMC Board, and being a member of the SMC Board is not just about attending meetings - it can be a very rewarding experience both professionally and personally - please call Executive Assistant Emma Davies, telephone 0131 550 4122, for an informal chat.

At the SMC Board meeting on 20 June, national membership was approved for the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, the body which is responsible for recording, interpreting and collecting information about the built environment.

Eight partnerships recently submitted project proposals for additional funding from the Regional Development Challenge Fund and the SMC Board has agreed to award such funding to them all. The funding will support further developments including evaluation, project legacy development, regional networking, publications, web development and advocacy materials. The eight partnerships are:

• East of Scotland Museums Partnership
• Future Museums South West
• Museum Resources for Social Integration
• Regional Museums Training Development
• Scotland and Medicine
• Skills Building for the Future
• Tayside Museums Learning and Access
• West of Scotland Museums and Heritage Partnership.

Information about the partnerships and their work is on the SMC website, at http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/areas_of_work/rdcf_intro.asp

Congratulations to the following SMC members on achieving Accreditation at the MLA panel meeting held on 21 June:

• Dundee City Council � Provisional Accreditation awarded to three sites
• Scottish Borders Council � Full Accreditation awarded to seven sites
• Shetland Islands Council (museums managed by Shetland Amenity Trust) � Full Accreditation awarded to three sites
• South Ayrshire Council � Full Accreditation awarded to Rozelle House Galleries
• South Lanarkshire Council � Full Accreditation awarded to three sites.

As SMC Accreditation Manager Susie Hillhouse is about to leave SMC, if you have any queries about Accreditation, please contact SMC Head of Research and Standards Alison Colvine.  T: 0131 550 4136  E: [email protected]

Welcome to staff who have joined SMC recently:

• ICT Development Manager (internal) Kelvin Aston
• Learning and Access Manager (part time, Tues, Thurs and Fri) Sally Wainwright
• Workforce Development Manager Catherine Cartmell.

Accreditation Manager Susie Hillhouse is leaving after being with SMC for 7� years.  We thank Susie for her contribution over those years and wish her well as a freelance museum consultant and trainer.

We are currently recruiting for a Standards Manager and for a Projects Manager for Their Past Your Future Scotland: Phase 2
(see http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/about/vacancies_intro.asp).

Contact details for SMC staff can be found on the web at http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/about/staff_intro.asp

SMC�s Condition Assessment Tool (CAT) is now available on the Collections Link website at http://www.collectionslink.org.uk/conserve_objects/cat
The CAT is a downloadable database developed by SMC, designed to enable heritage organisations to record information about the condition of objects in their collections and prioritise conservation work or improved collection care.  SMC's user guidance notes and a comprehensive set of supporting factsheets are also available to download.

Updated versions of two publications in the Standards in Museum Care of Collections series (originally published by the Museums and Galleries Commission, now the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council), are now available from the Collections Link website at http://www.collectionslink.org.uk/conserve_objects/standards_colls_care
Alongside the six other resources in the series, the new updates are those on Geological Collections and on Musical Instruments.

The AIM/Pilgrim Trust Conservation Grant Scheme is intended to help small museums with conservation of objects in their collections. Accessioned objects in any media are eligible. For details of the scheme, see the AIM website at http://www.aim-museums.co.uk/pilgrim-trust-conservation-grants.htm

The next meeting of the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel will be on Tuesday, 23 October 2007. The deadline for bids is Tuesday, 2 October 2007.
The following cases have been claimed by the Crown and will come before the Panel at its next meeting.
TT.25/07  Roman trumpet brooch, Selkirk, Scottish Borders.
TT.26/07  Prehistoric cup-marked stone, Portsoy, Aberdeenshire.
TT.27/07  Medieval pewter brooch, Southerness, Dumfries & Galloway.
TT.28/07  Medieval ring and fastener, St Combs, Aberdeenshire.
TT.29/07  EBA barbed and tanged arrowhead, Tayport, Fife.
TT.30/07  Five medieval/later finds, Seton Sands, East Lothian.
TT.31/07  Post medieval lead seal matrix, Strathmiglo, Fife.
TT.32/07  17thC gold posy ring, Gattonside, Scottish Borders.
TT.33/07  Late Bronze Age sword, Lockerbie, Dumfries & Galloway.
TT.34/07  Neolithic flint implement, Dundee.
TT.35/07  Palaeolithic flint hand-axe, Culross, Fife.
TT.36/07  EBA axehead, Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway.
TT.37/07  LIA bronze loop fastener, North Uist, Western Isles.
Case details are available on request from Accredited/Registered museums in Scotland. Jenny Shiels, Treasure Trove Administrator, National Museums Scotland.  E: [email protected]  W: http://www.treasuretrovescotland.co.uk

Recent Heritage Lottery Fund awards include

• �23,500 Your Heritage grant to the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre for a project to create a new display area for their archive collection, and to improve education and access to it
• �7,735 Awards for All grant to Caithness Horizons Collection Trust towards conservation of 8th century stones due to go on display to the public in 2008
• �5,676 Awards for All grant to Strathnaver Museum to enable the museum to produce a DVD about the Strathnaver Clearances.

A Government consultation on Gift Aid is examining and identifying measures to drive up charitable giving through Gift Aid. HM Treasury is consulting with charitable organisations through online consultation and a series of regional consultation events, one of which will be in Edinburgh in August / September. The Gift Aid consultation document can be found on the Treasury website at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/documents/public_spending_reporting/charity_third_sector_finance/psr_charity_thirdsector_giftaid.cfm
The online survey can be found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=geDGS6tYoAD1c_2fUwCqY3tg_3d_3d
You can use the online survey to register your interest in attending one of the national or regional events. Alternatively, e-mail [email protected] with your organisation name and contact details.
The closing date for responses is at the end of September.

We have got wind of an exciting new fundraising opportunity called TopLots. Museums and heritage attractions are invited to take part in a TopLots eBay Heritage Auction in October 2007. You can offer up to three different lots of rare experiences, unique events or privileged access to your venue and the more unusual and special your lots are, the more desirable they become to bidders.
TopLots is organised by heritage fundraising consultants, Development Partners, in partnership with eBay and the Association of Independent Museums. It will be supported by an extensive national PR campaign so this is an excellent opportunity to raise the profile of your venue.
For further information see http://www.development-partners.co.uk or e-mail Judy Niner on [email protected]
However don�t delay, the closing date to reserve lot spaces is Wednesday 25 July.

Pride & Passion is about committing to do a bit more to give visitors an even better experience. One way of encouraging this is to take part in a Community Challenge.
In 2006/07, two schemes were piloted which involved Dingwall Museum (see http://www.prideandpassion.net/uploads/documents/DingwallCaseStudy.doc )
and The Linlithgow Story Museum (see http://www.prideandpassion.net/uploads/documents/LinlithgowCaseStudy.doc ).
These pilot tourism schemes were about

• understanding visitors needs and expectations
• improving the visitor experience
• providing leadership, inspiration and lots of energy
• bringing together local businesses and people with the common goal of developing their local areas into thriving tourist destinations.

Pride & Passion is offering resources, training and publicity to six places. If you think your community has what it takes to join the Community Challenge, see http://www.prideandpassion.net/uploads/documents/CCoutline.doc and http://www.prideandpassion.net/defaultpage131cd0.aspx?pageID=494
and e-mail your details to [email protected] by 20 July.
If you have any queries, call 0800 028 0588.

Using Generic Learning Outcomes in Exhibition Planning
9 August, Perth / 26 October, Elgin
Free of charge
NMS Knowledge Exchange Workshop introducing the use of 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.
For the Perth workshop, contact Andrea Hallam, Tayside.  E: [email protected]
For the Elgin workshop, contact Hazel Bews (Highlands & Islands).  E: [email protected] 
W: http://www.nms.ac.uk/usingglosinexhibitionplanning.aspx

Introduction to Visitor Studies and Evaluation
3 September, Forfar / 23 November, Stornoway
Free of charge
NMS Knowledge Exchange Workshop sharing NMS experience of the value of visitor studies and evaluation through case studies. It will explain the process of evaluation and share tools and scenarios for participants to use in their local situation.
For the Forfar workshop, contact Andrea Hallam, Tayside RDCF.  E: [email protected]
For the Stornoway workshop, contact Hazel Bews (Highlands & Islands).  E: [email protected]
W: http://www.nms.ac.uk/introductiontovisitorstudiesandevaluation.aspx

Every Audience Matters. GEM Conference
4-7 September 2007, Leicester
�436 for GEM members, �496 for non-members
As government and funding priorities shift to fulfil expanding learning and social agendas, are heritage organisations being realistic in trying to be "all things to all people"? The conference will explore how we can meet growing demands, and addresses the wider implications of our evolving roles, from regional, national and international perspectives. The three days focus on Diverse Learners, Diverse Audiences, and Diverse Organisations.
Group for Education in Museums.  T/F: 01634 312409.  E: [email protected]  W: http://www.gem.org.uk/cpd/conf/conference.html

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

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

What's on Offer? Engaging Black and Minority Ethnic Adult Learners in Museum and Gallery Education
20 September, Liverpool
�98
Commemorating the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade, this conference will focus on good practice in education programmes and how black history can be used to encourage non-traditional learners to participate in education programmes.
Gurjit Kaur, National Institute of Adult Continuing Education.  T: 0116 204 2833  E: [email protected] 
W: http://www.niace.org.uk/conferences/Conferences.htm

Challenging Museum Theatre. Controversial Themes. Expanding Audiences
20-23 September, Belfast
�295 for IMTAL members, �395 for non-members
The International Museum Theatre Alliance conference will address issues challenging museum theatre and how museum theatre can address challenging issues.
For enquiries, contact John-Paul Coyle (e-mail [email protected])
or Robert Forshaw (e-mail [email protected]).  T: 02837 521801
Register via website www.imtal-europe.org

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.  T: 01599 534999  W: http://www.thevitalspark2007.org.uk

Care and Management of Domestic Technology
1 October, Dundee
Free of charge
NMS Knowledge Exchange Workshop focusing effective curation and practical aspects of collections care including disposal, handling hazardous substances, registration and storage.
To book, contact Andrea Hallam, Tayside RDCF.  E: [email protected]
W: http://www.nms.ac.uk/careandmanagementofdomestictechnology.aspx

Share Options: Making Lending Easier
2 October, London
�110 for MA members, �185 for non-members
An examination of lending practice in the UK and an introduction to new resources for easier loans administration.
Museums Association.  T: 020 7426 6940  E: [email protected]

Introduction to Pest Management
18 October, Inverness
Free of charge
NMS Knowledge Exchange Workshop aiming to improve awareness of the damage insects and other pests can cause to the collections and show how all staff can help to prevent serious damage and how to implement good procedures like object quarantine and a pest management programme.
For the Dundee workshop, contact Andrea Hallam, Tayside.  E: [email protected]
For the Inverness workshop, contact Hazel Bews (Highlands & Islands).  E: [email protected]
W: http://www.nms.ac.uk/introductiontopestmanagement.aspx

Museums Association Annual Conference and Exhibition
22-24 October, Glasgow
�435 for MA members, �710 for non-members, special conference rates for AMA candidates, students and those on a low wage. SMF members can attend the conference on Wednesday 24 October (morning only) for a special rate of �10. (This will include an SMF networking lunch. Details of SMF membership can be found at www.smf-online.org)
Staff and volunteers at museums participating in the East of Scotland Regional Museums Training Development Project may be eligible for financial assistance to attend the MA Conference 2007. For details, contact Mary Lewis or Victoria Whitcomb on 01896 833 837, [email protected]
The conference will have three central themes:

• collections-related knowledge
• increasing visitor numbers
• measuring value.

W: http://www.museumsassociation.org/asset_arena/text/rm/conference

Preventive Conservation Forum. Visit to the Museum on the Mound
29 October, Edinburgh
Free of charge
This visit to the HBOS Museum on the Mound will provide an opportunity to tour the museum, to learn more about the displayed and stored collections, and to hear how preventive conservation measures are managed and monitored in the museum.
Doug MacBeath, Museum on the Mound.  T: 0131 243 5445 
E: [email protected]