MLA

Volunteer Framework

With the support of Renaissance South West, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum has developed a volunteer framework to help small museums to effectively manage and administrate their volunteers. Although initially devised for Devon, the free package of a CD ROM and booklet will help all small museums recruit, train and manage volunteers by providing information and practical advice covering all aspects of involving volunteers in museum. It includes a wide range of adaptable templates divided into four sections: Planning, Recruitment, Managing & Supporting Volunteers and Evaluation & Forward Planning. It is hoped that this tool will build consistent practice across museums and help them to manage and develop one of their most valuable resources; their volunteers.

South West's PRIMROSE Project Wins National Award

The innovative PRIMROSE (Photograhic Records In Museums: Re-organisation, Storage and Environment) project has won the esteemed Award for the Care of Collection at this year's ICON Conservation Awards. Funded by Renaissance South West, the PRIMROSE project was created by Helena Jaeschke, Conservation Development Officer based at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, to help museums care for their photographic collections. The project trained 92 staff and volunteers from 55 museums in the South West, 10% of the region's museums, to sort, handle, clean and store their photographic collections safely.

ICON, the Institute of Conservation, is the lead voice for the conservation of cultural heritage in the UK and the Conservation Awards recognise the highest standards of conservation skills, research and collection care. The Award for the Care of Collections was presented by Dame Liz Forgan, DBE, Chair of the Arts Council England, at a ceremony at the Royal Institution in London on 1 December 2010. The PRIMROSE project was selected from a wide range of high quality submissions as the judges said, "The project sends a strong message about training, sharing, and enthusing keen volunteers- and it has had a positive and broad impact using minimal public funding."

For more information, please contact Helena Jaeschke

Museums Development Funding secure for 2010/11

Renaissance SW is pleased to announce that MDF funding of £196,000 was awarded from MLA at the end of February 2010. Renaissance South West provides additional funding of £109,450 to allow for an increased MDF budget of £305,450 per annum. This increased funding is directed at securing Museum Development Officer posts in partnership with local authorities.

In November 2009 MLA issued new guidance for the Museum Development Fund 2010-11. MLA identified two themes for the programme: Social Sustainability and Economic Sustainability. Following a process of regional consultation, MDF 2010-allocations now provide a better regional coverage of MDOs (to include Bristol) and maintain the regional MDF grants programme delivered through Museum Development Officers. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the consultation. Summary findings from the consultation carried out by Pippa Griffith, on behalf of Renaissance SW, will be shared across the region to Accredited / Registered Museums and via the Museum Development Officers. The report is currently with the printers and will be posted out soon.

Applications from all MDO regions have now been awarded – a summary of the projects will be up on the Renaissance SW MLA website pages shortly. Please contact your local MDO for more information on the project in your area.

Measuring the impact of Museum Development funds in 2009-10

Renaissance SW has commissioned Tempus Fugit to bring together the evidence and impact of the MDF grant programme in 2009-10. Tempus Fugit will work with Museum Development Officers to assist the Renaissance programme in lobbying funders for the sustained investment in museums, Museum Development Officers and the activities they deliver. The Tempus Fugit team is Chris Wood and Nicola Nuttall. This project will be developed to extend and capture impact of 2010-11 MDF funding.

For further information contact Vic Harding

Collection Care & Feasibility Study

The Collection Care and Conservation Support Feasibility Study is now complete and recommendations have been presented to the Management Group and Renaissance South West Board. Following the recommendations outlined and the feedback from museums a decision was made to extend the contract of the Conservation Development Officer with immediate effect. Therefore this post is now extended to the full timetable of the South West Renaissance Business Plan, 31st March 2011. In addition, a decision to provide access to a small grants programme was agreed and plans are underway to launch this grant programme at the end of June 2010.  

Consulting with key regional conservation and collection care providers, MLA, AIM, the Museums Association, national funding bodies and museums across the region, Stuart Davies Associates have enabled Renaissance SW to identify options for future Renaissance funded collection care and conservation provision. A steering group drives this project with representation from regional conservation staff, Museum Development Officers and non-hub museums. Renaissance South West would like to thank all the museums, individuals and organisations who supported the consultation process.

 Collection Care and Conservation Support Feasibility Study (PDF 468KB)

For further information contact Vic Harding

Advocating Renaissance during the general election

MLA’s Renaissance Advocacy Group agreed the “key messages”, which each region can use for advocating the programme to partners and stakeholders until March 2011. In addition the MLA has provided each region with a database of the relevant ministers and local councilors to whom your advocacy should be channeled.

For more information contact Stella Yates

Creative Apprenticeships – ‘Your Hired!’

Renaissance SW has allocated an additional £63,000 to the £35,000 secured from MLA funding for Creative Apprenticeships across the South West. The newly appointed Apprenticeships are based at:

• Royal West of England Academy
• Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery
• Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery, (additional MLA funding 08/09)
• Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery (additional MLA funding 08/09) #
• Plymouth and West Devon Records Office in partnership with National Trust Devon,
• Trowbridge Museum
• Chippenham Museum
• Lydiard House
• Wiltshire Heritage Museum 

Renaissance SW is providing matched funding of £50,000 to support apprenticeship wage costs and a further £13,000 to establish a training and support network. The network will ensure that the Apprentices are best placed for future employment within the sector.

Contact Eleanor Moore or the Hub office