Case study: Luton Museums Service
'Incredibly useful' is how Dr Elizabeth Adey of Luton Museums Service describes the experience of having a Diversify trainee on site. Dr Adey, the service's curator of local history, acted as supervisor to Rebecca Wilhelm who had a work placement at Wardown Park Museum as part of her two-year Diversify traineeship from September 2004.
The museum was keen to give Rebecca varied experience so she began her placement in the education department and tried various other roles before settling on curatorial work. '
Rebecca's traineeship also included a part-time MA in museums and galleries management at City University in London. Dr Adey comments: 'She brought a critical eye and a new perspective from her university course and other training. It added a lot to my work and so much to the museum.'
Managing a trainee was a learning curve for Dr Adey, who says it is important for host museums to ensure supervisors receive proper training before embarking on the process and to have a structured programme of work experience.
For Luton, the Diversify experience has paid dividends. Rebecca joined the service as curator of Stockwood Park Museum and is currently co-ordinating its lottery bid towards a £6.3m redevelopment plan. Dar Adey comments: 'It's such a valuable programme and we'd be delighted to have another trainee.'
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The museum was keen to give Rebecca varied experience so she began her placement in the education department and tried various other roles before settling on curatorial work. '
Rebecca's traineeship also included a part-time MA in museums and galleries management at City University in London. Dr Adey comments: 'She brought a critical eye and a new perspective from her university course and other training. It added a lot to my work and so much to the museum.'
Managing a trainee was a learning curve for Dr Adey, who says it is important for host museums to ensure supervisors receive proper training before embarking on the process and to have a structured programme of work experience.
For Luton, the Diversify experience has paid dividends. Rebecca joined the service as curator of Stockwood Park Museum and is currently co-ordinating its lottery bid towards a £6.3m redevelopment plan. Dar Adey comments: 'It's such a valuable programme and we'd be delighted to have another trainee.'
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