AIM Bulletin February News

Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon

Posted : 25/01/2010

AIM Conference 2010 – Independent Museums & Tourism: Who Needs Who More? 3-5 June at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire

Independent Museums make a large and important contribution to tourism in the UK. This year’s Conference, sponsored by Development Partners, looks at the economic value that can be placed on that contribution and how museums of all sizes can maximise their share of the tourism market. Highlights will include new AIM-commissioned research into The Economic Value of the Independent Museum Sector; contributions from Dame Fiona Reynolds, Director General of the National Trust and James Berresford, Chief Executive of VisitEngland; case studies of different sized museums working with the tourism agenda, and workshops on subjects from insurance to web-based collections management, marketing to social
media. Saturday’s study tour will visit ‘Shakespeare country’ as well as the tiny embryonic Chedham’s Yard museum which won BBC Restoration, 2006, and at the annual dinner guest speaker will be Ken Robinson CBE, Chairman of the Tourism Alliance. Full Conference Programme and booking details can be found on AIM’s website, www.aim-museums.co.uk or contact the AIM Administrator on 02392 587751.

Researching independent museums’ economic value
AIM-commissioned research into The Economic Value of the Independent Museum Sector will include an online survey of AIM members over the next weeks, focusing on visitor numbers and types, employment patterns, purchasing information, facilities and your locality. All members are urged to participate as a strong response rate is vital to the accuracy and robustness of the survey. The work is being carried out by DC Research and will be used in AIM’s advocacy at a national level on behalf of the whole sector. It will also be helpful to individual members in their own regions. A presentation on the research will be given at AIM’s Annual Conference on 3-5 June in Warwickshire (see above). The study is being supervised by an AIM Council steering group. Further information: Jonathan Durnin on 0116 271 8911 or email jon@dcresearch.co.uk

Promoting heritage is more important than ever, says the Heritage Alliance
Loyd Grossman, new Chairman of the Heritage Alliance (formerly Heritage Link), appeals for everyone working in the heritage sector to promote the great value it gives the public. “A well-looked after, properly understood heritage is now, more than ever, essential to our national well-being and the Heritage Alliance is committed to getting that message across,” he says in Comment in this issue of the AIM Bulletin.   The Alliance, of which AIM is a member, brings together 75 non-governmental organisations that care for our national past. Heritage is one of our greatest national assets even though the public debate sometimes makes it seem a liability, says Loyd. Currently we are faced with more than the usual challenges, he adds, with an inevitable decrease in public spending and personal giving. “However, I am optimistic about the increasingly effective and high profile role that voluntary, private and non-governmental organisations can play.” See the Heritage Alliance Manifesto, Making the Most of Our Heritage at www.heritagelink.org.uk. Meanwhile Heritage Alliance has revised its free online Heritage Funding Directory, taking account of the current difficult funding climate. Go to www.heritagelink.org.uk/fundingdirectory

AIM Conservation Scheme: put in your bids!
AIM is looking for more bids from its members for its popular Conservation Scheme, supported by The Pilgrim Trust, which recently granted AIM a further three years’ funding for the scheme. Bids are accepted for up to £5,000, allowing AIM members to ensure the conservation of some of their most important objects. So far 51 members have received grants totalling £225,000. One of the most iconic objects to be restored with an AIM Conservation grant is the St Agnes Museum turtle, pictured in a previous AIM Bulletin. Now the turtle has hit the big-time and is on Twitter! AIM Bulletin continues to carry case studies of the successful applicants’ projects to help other members focus on their own needs. Closing dates for this year are 31 March and 30 September. Further information: www.aim-museums.co.uk

Reward AIM innovation, MLA told
Innovation and sustainability – bywords for AIM members – should be rewarded within the Renaissance programme at its source to the benefit of all museums in the regions, not further along the chain, often at hub level. AIM Council was passing its views to MLA (Museums, Libraries & Archives Council) as it considers the recent Renaissance Review and the national strategy, Leading Museums. AIM Chairman Bill Ferris said AIM was positive about the fact that all funding to museums was good, that partnerships were good and recent trends to spread the Renaissance money further was good, but Renaissance must not become a club for local authority museums, and innovation and sustainability must be properly attributed and financially rewarded at its source, often independents. “Hub museums often use our ideas and get funded for it. Innovation and sustainability should be rewarded where it comes from, not where it passes to,” said one AIM Council member.

“More targeted approach” planned for Designated museums’ funding
A new Designation Development Fund (DDF) is to replace the Designation Challenge Fund, MLA (Museums, Libraries & Archives Council) has announced. Part of its drive to invest in regional projects, the new Fund will represent a more targeted approach to the funding of Designated collections, MLA says. Grants will be primarily directed towards care of collections, researching and understanding collections and making them accessible and sustainable. There are now 131 Designated collections held in 104 museums, libraries and archives throughout England.   Among them are a number of independents which have developed entirely without core funding from government sources. Further information: http://www.mla.gov.uk/news_and_views/press/releases/2009/Designation_Development_Fund

Don’t lose the “bottom-up” MDO approach, AIM urges MLA
AIM has appealed to MLA (Museums, Archives & Libraries Council) not to lose the “bottom-up” nature of MDO (Museum Development Officer) support and replace it with a “top-down” approach. Museum Development represented a “golden thread” of advice affecting museums nationally, but it was MDOs on the ground, working often with smaller museums, that “did the spinning”. MLA has acknowledged the vital work of MDOs but is currently aiming for a national strategic leadership and direction for a more formal MDO network.

AIM to sponsor Winstan Bond Trophy for Entrepreneurship in the Museums & Heritage Awards – closing date 19 February
AIM is sponsoring a new trophy in memory of its late honorary treasurer, Winstan Bond OBE, as part of the Museums & Heritage Show Awards for Excellence. AIM members are urged to enter their projects for the award: the closing date is 19 February. The Winstan Bond Trophy for the Entrepreneurial Museum of the Year will be a prize for the independent museums with the best initiative, product or service which has secured increased income for the museum. Judges will take into account the return on investment, the capacity for other museums to apply a similar project to their own institution and the scope for sustainability demonstrated. Entrants will be registered or accredited (of those working towards accreditation) museums in membership of AIM. The Awards for Excellence will be presented on the first day of the Museums and Heritage Show (12/13 May this year). There are a number of other award categories members may like to consider also, including another new award, the Innovations Award for the most innovative use of technology. To enter contact info@museumsandheritage.com. Website www.museumsandheritage.com.

AIM’s new website
AIM’s new website is now up and running. The new improved site provides more information, easier navigation and a number of new features. These include a dedicated members’ section with access to a digital version of AIM Bulletin, a monthly E-news and a forum for discussion of any and all aspects of running independent museums. If you would like to subscribe to the E-news you can sign up on the site. Go to www.aim-museums.co.uk

Also in this issue –

Burton’s brewery heritage is saved
Bottom Line: Contractors’ insolvency
Morwellham Quay: purchase offer is made
Brunel Institute celebrates major gift
MBE’s for AIM members
National Motor Museum hosts lawnmower speed record launch
Armitt Collection, Cumbria hit by flood damage
Greenfield museum manager recognised for entrepreneurship
AIM Sustainability and Conservation Grant Scheme Case Studies
MuseumProfile: Iona Heritage Centre, Argyll

Plus –

Information on AIM’s latest events, AIM’s Sustainability and Conservation Grant Schemes, the Bob Harding Training Grants, FOCUS information papers, and the two-page AIM Directory – 20+ providers of products and services for the museum sector.

The AIM Bulletin is the chief communication focus for the UKs 1000+ independent museums and heritage organisations - half the total provision for the British Isles - which have been in the forefront of the museum movement for over 30 years.

Further information contacts:
Roger Hornshaw, AIM administrator - Tel 02392 587751.
Email aimadmin@aim-museums.co.uk
Bill Ferris, AIM chairman - Tel 01634 823800. Fax 01634 832801.
Email bferris@chdt.org.uk
Diana Zeuner, AIM Bulletin editor - Tel/Fax 01730 812419.
Email editoraim@heavyhorseworld.co.uk

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