News

The Museums Association has finalised a new three year business plan and budget that will help it provide the services that members need in the difficult times ahead.

The themes of the new plan are a reduction in costs and risks to create a more robust and financial model for the MA, putting the MA at the centre of the museums network, providing information, advice and best practice, and providing political and professional leadership.

In practical terms this translates as the ending of the current events and training programme from April 2011 onwards, a smaller annual conference at a reduced cost to members, a slightly reduced Museums Journal (with no August issue), but more focus on policy and advocacy, enhanced investment in communications, including the website, and, to coincide with a new governance system in April 2011, an expanded programme of membership dialogue including four free members meetings per year and appointing an MA correspondent in each nation and region.

Commenting on the changes, MA director Mark Taylor said: "This plan makes the MA more relevant for members as the public sector cuts begin to bite, and we will be investing more time in the services that market research has told us members appreciate. 

"However it is no secret that, like our members, the MA is finding the current climate difficult and we have had to reduce some services and lose some posts to make sure that the finances are robust enough to withstand the storms that are to come.  

"Sadly, we will be losing colleagues who have worked for many years for the MA and have enriched the UK museum sector. We wish them well and thank them for their efforts."

The individuals that will be leaving the MA are:

Caitlin Griffiths, Head of Workforce and Events
Janson Harrison, Marketing Manager
Felicity Heywood, Associate Editor
Sue Robinson, Events Production Manager

The final version of the Business Plan will be made available to all members on the website in early December.