Foundation degree in Cultural Services recruiting for January 2010.

The foundation degree in Cultural Services is now recruiting for January 2010. It is a three year, part time, distance learning programme aimed at staff working in museums, libraries and archives, providing an opportunity to study while working. The course is intended for people already working in museums, libraries and archives such as:

Library Assistants
Information Officers
Archive Assistants
Museum Support Officers
Outreach Workers
Volunteers

Click here to find out more about the qualification, method of study and cost .

News and Opportunities

Invitation to participate in the Green Tourism Business Scheme

As part of its Green Museums Programme the North East Regional Museums Hub is supporting museums to benchmark their current ‘green’ activity by offering the opportunity to join the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) for free. Funding is available for one year’s membership and there are a number of other benefits to joining the scheme.

Further information on GTBS is available at www.green-business.co.uk . To sign up to the scheme please register your interest by contacting Sarah Carr on (0191) 277 2328 or email sarah.carr@twmuseums.org.uk.

Seaton Delaval Hall becomes public property

For the first time in 25 years a stately home and its historic contents have been offered up to the nation in lieu of inheritance tax. Seaton Delaval, in Northumberland, designed by Sir John Vanburgh and one of England’s most dramatic houses, has been acquired through the Acceptance in Lieu (AIL) Scheme, which is administered by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) on behalf of the Government.

Meeting a tax bill of £4.9m the agreement ensures that the Grade I listed mansion, hundreds of items of furniture, sculpture, family portraits and more than 80 acres of land are safe for future generations to visit and enjoy. Click here for more information.

AIM Conservation Scheme – put in your bids!

AIM (Association of Independent Museums) is looking for more bids from its members for its popular Conservation Scheme, supported by The Pilgrim Trust. To be eligible museums should be Registered or Accredited, or be confident of achieving Accreditation within two years. You should have fewer than 60,000 visitors annually, or a turnover of less than £300,000. Applicants may apply to the scheme more than once for different projects. Next closing dates are 31 March and 30 September.

Click here for more information or to download an application form. Alternatively you can call (02392) 587 751 or email aimadmin@aim-museums.co.uk.

Museums & Heritage Awards for Excellence 2010

The Museum & Heritage Awards celebrate best practice in museums, galleries and heritage attractions. The deadline for entries for these awards is 19 February 2010. The judges will be looking for evidence of outcome, creativity, relation to objective and cost effectiveness. Click here for further information or contact Anna Preedy on (01905) 724 734 or email anna@museumsandheritage.com.

Events and Training

Bits 2 Blogs 2010

25 February 2010,  Centre for Enterprise, University of Teesside (9.30am - 4.15pm)

Bits 2 Blogs is an event for anyone within the Museums, Libraries and Archives sector with an interest in using social media, Web 2.0 and other digital technologies to promote learning and engage audiences. The event offers a range of talks, practical demonstrations and informal discussions to highlight emerging technologies, innovative projects and promote good practice in e-learning within the heritage sector.

The event is organised by the North East Regional Museums Hub and costs  £30 per person which includes lunch, refreshments and a delegate pack. Limited places and booking is essential. To book a place contact (0191) 236 9347 or email rob.mciver@twmuseums.org.uk.

Leadership & Management programme 2010

The Leadership & Management programme will provide staff in museums, galleries, libraries and archives in the North East with the skills, confidence and networks to be more effective managers and leaders.

The programme is delivered in ten workshops, starting January 2010 and held at various locations throughout the North East. The North East Regional Museums Hub is seeking a maximum of 25 people who fit the criteria set out below:

• Hold a strategic management position within their organisation.
• Currently responsible for people, budgets or projects.
• Seeking to develop skills and knowledge.
• Seeking an exchange of 'expertise' with others in the sector.
• Willing to commit to a personal development plan and to participate in an on-line community.

The total cost of the programme will be between £1000 and £1500 per person. Development costs of up to £1000 per company are available subject to eligibility. Some bursaries will be available from Renaissance North East for those from Registered museums (or museums working towards Accreditation). To book a place or for further information contact (0191) 277 2176 or email jackie.bland@twmuseums.org.uk.

Touring Exhibitions Group Leeds Marketplace Event
19 March 2010, Leeds City Museum

The Touring Exhibitions Group (TEG) will celebrate its 25th birthday at its Marketplace event. TEG is a membership body for everyone involved in exchanging exhibitions in the UK public sector. Its members include museums, galleries, libraries, universities and arts and science centres.

Marketplaces provide invaluable networking opportunities for exhibition organisers and venues, enabling delegates to make contacts and discuss ideas. The Leeds Marketplace will be accompanied by a seminar programme on touring exhibitions from small-scale to international. Delegate fees are £50 for members; £80 non-members. Click here for programme details and online booking.

AIM Conference 2010 - Independent Museums and Tourism: Who Needs Who More?

3-5 June 2010, 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.

Click here for more information and to reserve your place. Small museums can contact macates@btinternet.com to apply for AIM’s Bob Harding Training Grants fund for assistance with costs.

Jobs and Consultancy

Marketing and Communications Assistant, Seven Stories, the Centre for Children's Books
£14,479.92
Full time (37.5 hours/week)

Successful candidates will contribute to the implementation of the marketing and communication plans both regionally and nationally, develop audience databases and ensure distribution of promotional material. You will maintain the website and gather evidence on the effectiveness of marketing, PR and fundraising programmes, including cataloguing media coverage.

Ideally you will be a Marketing or PR graduate with workplace experience and able to take on a very challenging but enjoyable role. Click here for more information and to download an application form. Closing date 12 noon 8 February 2010, interview date Wednesday 24 February 2010.

Seminar Manager, Touring Exhibitions Group

The Touring Exhibitions Group (TEG) intends to appoint a Seminar Manager on a freelance basis to plan, organise and market its seminar programme. TEG currently runs three days of seminars each year. The appointment will be initially for one year, for which the fee will be £3,000.  Click here for more information and to download an application form. The deadline for applications is Friday 29 January 2010, for interviews in mid-February.

  Freelance opportunity, English Heritage in Northumberland – children’s resources

English Heritage is seeking to appoint a freelance designer or gallery educator to produce a resource for children aged 5-14 who visit the Extraordinary Measures exhibition taking place at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens in Northumberland from 1 May to 26 September 2010.

For full information, including details on how to tender for this post, please contact Alexandra Markham on (0191) 269 1213 or email Alexandra.markham@english-heritage.org.uk.

Renaissance North West - Invitations to Tender

Renaissance North West are offering two opportunities to tender.

Investigation of Business Model Options for the Delivery of Learning Services

Renaissance North West would like to commission a consultant to identify a range of business model options for the delivery of formal and informal learning services within the 6 hub venues. We would like to explore models for the delivery of services which are cost effective, offer best value, less reliant on external sources of funding and have a greater balance of cost recovery. Project timetable: February- July 2010.

Museum Learning Services Funding Opportunities Research

Renaissance North West would like to commission a consultant to identify current and future funding sources for learning services, for each Hub venue and for Renaissance NW learning partnership programmes. The 6 hub museums in the North West are: Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Bolton Museum, Manchester City Galleries, Manchester Museum and the Whitworth Art Gallery.

Renaissance NW would like to investigate potential funders of the broad range of learning services offered by museums or galleries, covering a wide range of users from early years to older learners including both formal and informal learning and education. Project timetable: February- 30 April 2010

Deadlines

Deadline for receipt of both of these tender documents is 12 noon on Thursday 4 February. For a full copy of either of these briefs and information on how to apply contact Alex Bird on (0161) 235 882 or email a.bird@manchester.gov.uk.

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