NWFED

Heritage Link Manifesto available

Our heritage manifesto was published 2 December 2009. Making the Most of our Heritage demonstrates how heritage can help government deliver in four key areas: building a new economy, giving value for money, empowering people and responding to climate change.
http://www.heritagelink.org.uk/2009/12/02/heritage-link-manifesto/

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. Closing dates for this year are 31 March and 30 September.
http://www.aim-museums.co.uk

Art Fund to research museum collecting habits

The Art Fund is to undertake a comprehensive survey of museum collecting over the last five years. The research will look at acquisitions since 2005 and will focus on what was collected, the most significant objects saved, what was missed out on and sources of funding. It will also look at the issues surrounding collecting in UK museums, and other challenges they face. Curators and managerial staff of museums and galleries will be invited to complete an online questionnaire between 8 February-5 March, which will be followed up with a number of one-to-one interviews. The overall results will be published in the spring, but individual responses will remain anonymous.
The research will update the Art Fund’s 2006 research The Collecting Challenge, which looked at collecting activity across UK museums and galleries between 2000 and 2005. For further details, please contact Sally Wrampling, Head of Policy and Research, on 020 7225 4837 or swrampling@artfund.org

AIM Conference 2010 – Gaydon, Warwickshire., 3-5 June

Brief Description: 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.
Further information: http://www.aim-museums.co.uk

Working in a Difficult Economic Climate – 29th April

Time: 10am to 4.30pm
Venue: Port Sunlight Levehulme Boutique Hotel
Cost: FED members £20, Non FED members £30
Provider: NWFED

Brief description: Practical advice, support and case studies on work in our region to respond positively and responably to the difficult economic climate that the museum sector finds itself within. Speakers include: David Fleming, Director National Museums Liverpool and Tony Hill, Director MOSi

Further information:  Working in climate flyer 

Seven Northwest finalists up for English tourism ‘Oscars’

Seven businesses from England’s Northwest have been shortlisted for some of the tourism industry’s highest accolades in the annual Enjoy England Awards for Excellence. Organised annually by Visit England, the awards recognise the best of the country’s tourism businesses and professionals.

The finalists were selected by a board of tourism industry judges. The Ashton in Lancaster has been shortlisted in the Bed and Breakfast category. Blackpool Illuminations is up for Tourism Event of the Year. Manchester’s Lowry Hotel is a finalist in the Large Hotel category whilst Imperial War Museum North is up for the Large Visitor Attraction accolade. Gilpin Lodge in Windermere is a finalist in the Small Hotel category, Low Sizergh Farm Shop in Kendal has been shortlisted for the Taste of England Award and Christina Dixion from Jury’s Inn in Liverpool is up for Outstanding Customer Service.

All of the shortlisted nominees have already won at the England’s Northwest Tourism Awards organised by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and will now be pitted against their counterparts from across England at the Awards Ceremony in Brighton on St George’s Day (April 23rd).

New Trustee and Governance Information Centre

NCVO has launched its new Trustee and Governance Information Centre, with material ranging from the role of the trustee to changing governing documents and the responsibilities of a board (management committee).
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/advice-support/trustee-governance .

Help wanted in improving practical guide for basic documentation of collections in small museums

UNESCO and ICCROM, together with other partners, have prepared a draft practical guide for basic documentation of collections in small museums and would like your help in improving it. If you work for a museum which has between 5,000 and 8,000 objects and your responsibilities include the inventory and documentation of collections, we welcome your feedback

goto http://tinyurl.com/yexluxj or down load the documents here 2010_02preven_guide_en and 2010_02preven_questionnaire_en

Exhibition available – Victorian Society Touring Exhibition

2008 was the 50th anniversary of the Victorian Society. To mark the year, the Society produced the exhibition, Saving a Century, curated by architectural historian, Gavin Stamp, which is now touring the country, having been initially at the RIBA in London and then at Manchester Central Library, the Museum of Lancashire in Preston, and is currently at Birmingham Central Library.

The Victorian Society is looking for more venues around England and Wales which would like to have the exibition.

There are some 21 panels, each about 1.4 metres high by 1 metre. Each consists of photographic images and short text on lightweight boards designed to be hung by velcro from a fabric surfaced wall or display board or by thin wire from rails. The boards are stiff enough to prop on an easel or ledge, or can be screwed to gallery walls. I attach some background information, including the contents of the panels, and a couple of photos which show a sample of the exhibition. There is no cost involved and we would bring and could hang the exhibition.

For more information contact Steve Roman on 0161 434 2908 and steve.roman@phonecoop.coop

for more information on the society and its work go to www.victoriansociety.org.uk

Export licensing update

Certain cultural objects more than 50 years of age and valued above specified financial thresholds will require an individual licence for export out of the United Kingdom whether on a permanent or temporary basis. For more information go to

http://www.mla.gov.uk/what/cultural/export/export_licensing