Pedal power – Lymm Heritage Centre

Another article from our occasional series by guest bloggers. Today’s comes from Lymm Heritage Centre on how they used contacts within their local community to quickly put together an exhibition that exceeded all expectations.

“When Lymm Heritage Centre heard the news in March that their Heritage Lottery bid for £88,000 to help fund exhibitions, learning and digitisation had been successful they did a quick calculation.

It was just 14 weeks till Lymm Festival and Lymm Historic Transport Day, both of which promised to bring thousands of visitors to the village. The building was almost complete, generously funded by local businessman Howard Platt but it was just a shell with not even a floorcovering.

The long term aim, to create an exhibition that would tell the fascinating story of this Cheshire village through the three themes of Trades, Transport and Tradition, remained intact but the group decided to call in a network of local contacts to create an exhibition from scratch in three months, and which ended up pulling in nearly 2,000 visitors in its first week.

“A Quiet Revolution” is a social history of cycling as it affected Lymm. The bicycles were provided by Walton Hall Cycle Museum who are thrilled to see their exhibits so imaginatively interpreted. The graphics were produced by a local young graphics graduate, Kane Wright, who had the opportunity to show his skills and enhance his portfolio. The exhibition was set out by local couple Janet and Colin Grimes who as artists themselves had laid out many exhibitions. Other material came from HLF projects like the Anfield Cycle Club.

The exhibition has also provided a great learning opportunity for the team. We need to get smarter at getting visitors to open their purses for example but overall it has been an amazing two weeks as nearly 2,000 gained a first glimpse into Lymm’s heritage.

The centre is open 1 till 5 Thursday till Sunday www.lymmhic.co.uk, facebook.com/lymmheritage. It’s well worth the trip!”

Job Opportunity: Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery

Exhibitions & Events Coordinator
Grade E (£20,660) 1.0FTE
Fixed Term, up to 12 months, full time 37 hours

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Tullie House Programme and Projects team in co- ordinating and delivering a dynamic temporary exhibitions programme as well as the involvement in a diverse range of programmes and projects.

The role is required to work across all areas of exhibition projects from development to delivery, motivating and coordinating cross-departmental project teams to ensure the successful delivery of an outstanding programme. You will require excellent administration, organisation, communication and practical skills. A positive attitude, creative thinking and the ability to problem-solve under pressure make this challenging role extremely rewarding.

Application Process

If you are inspired by the role and would like to apply for the position, please familiarise yourself with the Job Description as part of the application pack and return a completed application form to Helen Askew, HR & Volunteer Advisor at helen.askew@tulliehouse.org by 4pm 14th September*. Interviews will be at Tullie House Museum, Castle Street, Carlisle, Thursday 21st September 2017.

If you have any further questions please feel free to call Helen Askew HR & Volunteer Advisor 01228 618779

*Please note new application deadline.

John Ellerman Foundation Regional Museums and Galleries Fund

From the John Ellerman Foundation:

Deadline for initial applications 1st December 2017

Museums and galleries are a means by which people engage with arts and heritage. Many regional institutions hold important collections which have the power to inspire creativity, motivate artistic expression and stimulate local regeneration.  In the current climate they face increasing challenges from funding cuts and curatorial under-provision, reducing their scope to research and display collections and create new exhibitions.

Aim

The Fund aims to help strengthen regional museums and galleries in the UK. We want to help organisations enhance and sustain curatorial development to attract a broader public.

We have earmarked £500,000 to be awarded through the Fund in 2018. We expect to make about five or six grants for periods of two to three years. While the average grant size is ca. £85k we will consider higher amounts for exceptional projects.

What we will fund

We are keen to fund work which has a legacy within and beyond the organisation. We are particularly interested in applications which:

  • enable new ways of working both for established curators and those just starting out or
  • ensure organisations are able to safeguard and advance curatorial skills through a time of development or change

Who can apply

We focus on visual and decorative arts and social and natural history collections. The applicant should demonstrate:

  • excellence in their field at a national level
  • national significance, usually through a unique or high quality collection

In line with our general policy, we favour organisations with an income between £100,000 and £10m, but may fund a larger institution if it is uniquely placed to meet our aim. Local authority museums are also eligible. While our priority is regional museums and galleries, national institutions may also apply if their project brings significant benefits to the regions. We are particularly interested in applications from those areas where we have made fewer grants.

The organisation applying must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • an emphasis on the value of curatorial skills
  • proven experience of and enthusiasm for working in partnership
  • a commitment to excellence and innovation
  • strong leadership and commitment from senior management, board or governing body
  • effective financial management
  • the difference a grant would make, to the organisation, the general public or other audiences

What we do not fund

  • individual conservation projects (but we may consider conservation work as part of a wider request)
  • education and outreach work

For more information and details on how to apply visit the fund website.

New GEM Course Programme Launched

GEM have recently announced their new training programme:

A new foundation course: Effective Engagement, which complements the existing GEM foundation course: Museum Learning. 

Five new intermediate courses aimed at supporting the professional development of mid-career museum, heritage and cultural educators.

A new advanced workshop: Managing Museum Educators and Their Activities, aimed at supporting those in leadership positions, such as managers, directors or trustees.

To find out more and to book, please see the new course outline or visit the GEM website.

Making more of collections programme

MDNW have partnered with Manchester Museum, The Whitworth, Wordsworth Trust, Tullie House, the Human Remains Subject Specialist Network and Collections Trust to develop a series of taster session workshops looking at five different collection specialism areas: Human Remains; Geology, Botany and Entomology; Textiles; Manuscripts, Books and Fine Art; and Ethnography. The sessions, running from September 2017 to February 2018, are designed to inspire and raise confidence levels of delegates to make the most of areas of their collections that may be underused. They will give an overview of a variety of themes linked to working with collections such as:

  • Research and identification
  • Storage and display techniques
  • Basic care
  • Using collections to engage audiences

A sixth session with be run by Collections Trust, looking at Collection Review and Rationalisation, with case studies focusing on some of the collection areas covered in the previous workshops.

This series of training days will be used by MDNW to help develop packages of support around some of the subject areas from 2018 onwards.

For more information on each of the sessions, and to book places please click here.

Job Opportunities: The Atkinson, Southport

Senior Technician (Theatres)
Permanent
Full-time
Grade F SCP 22 – 26 £20,661 to £23,398 per annum\
The Atkinson, Sefton Council, Lord Street, Southport, Merseyside

Introducing ourselves:
Following an extensive refurbishment, the Atkinson provides a vibrant day-time and evening cultural offer with theatres, art galleries, a museum, retail spaces, bars, café, and Sefton’s busiest library.  For the last three years, The Atkinson, has presented a packed programme of over 300 performances and events each year, in its two theatres and its public spaces, bringing the best medium-scale touring theatre, dance, comedy, music and children’s theatre to Sefton.

Job requirements:
The Atkinson is creating a new team to deliver high quality technical support to visiting companies, amateur groups and commercial hirers, as well as to provide support in the galleries and museum.  We are seeking a Senior Technician (Theatre) to lead a small team of technicians, and report directly to the Principal Manager Programmes, Audiences & Enterprise.  This vital role underpins the success of The Atkinson’s theatre programmes and income targets.

Experience required:
You will have experience at a senior technical level in a theatre or multi-venue arts environment.  You will be able to work in a well organised manner, planning work, meeting deadlines, to ensure all performances, events and activities run smoothly; sustaining an enthusiastic approach under pressure. You will be able to make considered decisions calmly under pressure, using your own initiative and working to tight deadlines.  You will be an excellent communicator who can maintain good working relationships with artists, companies, hirers and staff

You will be passionate about delivering the highest standards of theatrical lighting, sound and AV for performing arts events; with a sound knowledge of current IT applications, both general and theatre based productions; of all related technical practices and procedures, Health and Safety, associated regulations, statutory regulations and licensing requirements.

To apply quickly and securely, we recommend that you apply online via the red CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE link below and set up a Personal Career Planner account. This will enable you to track the progress of your application more easily. If you experience difficulty submitting your application form online, you can email it to recruitment@sefton.gov.uk or deliver it in person to the Transactional HR Team, 1st Floor, St Peter’s House, Balliol Road, Bootle, L20 3AB.
Note that we cannot accept applications via links to cloud storage sites, and do not accept CVs in place of an application form. If you have any questions about your application, please call our contact centre on 0345 140 0845.

Job Description and Person Specification

Click here to apply online.

Closing Date: 20/08/2017

Technician (Theatres) at The Atkinson. 1 Full Time Post and 2 Part Time Posts, Permanent. – ref 50689
Full Time
Permanent
Sefton Council, Southport, Merseyside, Salary: £16,781 – £17,772, Scale: Grade D SCP 14, Internal reference number: 50689

Job requirements:
The Atkinson is creating a new team to deliver high quality technical support to visiting companies, amateur groups and commercial hirers, as well as to provide support in the galleries and museum. We are seeking a team of Technicians (Theatre) to report directly to the Senior Technician (Theatres) as part of the Programmes, Audiences & Enterprise team. These vital roles underpin the success of The Atkinson’s theatre programmes and income targets

You will have technical experience in a theatre or multi-venue arts environment. You will be able to work as part of a high-performing team, in a well organised manner, helping to ensure that all performances, events and activities run smoothly; sustaining an enthusiastic approach under pressure, using your own initiative when required. You will be a good communicator who can maintain good working relationships with artists, companies, hirers and staff

You will be passionate about supporting the delivery the highest standards of theatrical lighting, sound and AV for performing arts events. You will have a good understanding of current IT applications, both general and theatre based productions; related technical practices and procedures, Health and Safety, associated statutory regulations and licensing requirements.

To apply quickly and securely, we recommend that you apply online and set up a Personal Career Planner account. This will enable you to track the progress of your application more easily. If you experience difficulty submitting your application form online, you can email it to recruitment@sefton.gov.uk or deliver it in person to the Transactional HR Team, 1st Floor, St Peter’s House, Balliol Road, Bootle, L20 3AB.
Note that we cannot accept applications via links to cloud storage sites, and do not accept CVs in place of an application form. If you have any questions about your application, please call our contact centre on 0345 140 0845.

Job Description and Person Specification

Click here to apply online.

Closing Date: 20/08/2017

 

Job Opportunity: Wordsworth Trust

Marketing Manager
Salary – £25,000
37.5 hours per week

Wordsworth Trust are looking for a Marketing Manager to join their small, friendly, dedicated team.  You will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of creative and commercial marketing for the Trust, including those online elements of marketing which integrate with offline elements such as print and PR, as well as developing and implementing initiatives designed to increase visitor numbers from group travel and FIT markets.

In return they offer flexible working opportunities, a personal pension scheme, free on-site parking and staff discounts, and the opportunity to work in the heart of Wordsworth Country.

Please click here to view the job description. You can view the person specification here.

Please click here to download an application form.

Closing date: Friday 18 August. Please send completeled application forms to Catherine Harland – c.harland@wordsworth.org.uk

Child Protection & Safeguarding: in the arts and cultural sectors

Thursday 12th October 2017
HOME, Manchester
10:00 – 16:15

The Course:

Of benefit to individuals and organisations looking to update their understanding of child protection legislation and best practice, this course provides a full update on current child protection legislation, including the Disclosure and Barring service, the Duty to Refer and Working Together.

The day will provide practical advice to help you develop sensible structures and build confidence around child protection issues, within the context of developing and delivering creative and cultural projects for children and young people.  The course also includes a “safe touch” section, exploring how child protection guidelines can be maintained within more physical art forms. 

Ideal for:

  • Anyone working in the arts and cultural sectors with children and young people

You will gain:

  • An update on current child protection legislation and best practice
  • Information on the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and how to handle disclosure
  • Ideas for developing child protection policies
  • Safe Touch – information on how child protection guidelines can be maintained within more physical art forms

Course cost:

The course costs £130. The day includes lunch, refreshments and a certificate of attendance for each delegate. English National Youth Arts Network members receive 10% discount on spaces. Membership is FREE – sign up here.

Book your place online here or contact RosieCooke@artswork.org.uk / 02380 332491

 

Museums, Members and Friends: A harmonious relationship?

BAFM Conference and AGM
Saturday 30th September 2017
London Transport Museum

The day will explore the relationships between Museums and their Friends’ organisations, against a background of a trend for museums to set up their own membership schemes.

The first keynote speech ‘How to develop enduring Friendships’, will address the wellbeing benefits of volunteering and the significant influence volunteers can have on the ‘feel’ of a place.  The issue of relationships and ways of keeping channels clear, appreciative and constructive between Friends and their chosen Museums will be examined.

The second keynote presentation will explain the positive relationship between these two separate, but supportive, bodies, describing past successes and future challenges. In the afternoon there will be the BAFM AGM and short presentations on the conference theme by three other London Museums and a general ‘open forum’ discussion.

Find out more and book a place at the conference website.

Bringing the Dead to Life: How to display museum natural science

Friday 22 September, 10.00am to 4.00pm
University College London

The Natural Science Collections Association (the SSN for natural science) is running a talks-and-discussion day on putting on exhibitions. It’s called ‘Bringing the dead to life: how to display museum natural science’ and will be a day of talks discussing how to best put on an exhibition of natural science. 

Topics include object label writing, using live animals in displays, raising corporate sponsorship and audience consultation. It should be interesting for anyone working in any museum discipline – not just natural science.

Costs: £20 for NatSCA members (£40 otherwise).

To find out more and book your place visit the conference website.