MA launches one-off Next Step Grant programme
As part of its successful Diversify scheme, the MA announced this week that it will offer grants of up to £2,000 to support development opportunities for people at mid-career level.
The Next Step Grant programme is funded by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) and will be open to deaf and disabled people and those from ethnic minority backgrounds. Participants do not need to have previously taken part in Diversify schemes to apply.
The MA’s head of workforce development and events Caitlin Griffiths said: “We are really pleased that through the Next Step Grants we will be able to support up to 25 individuals to create their own bespoke programme of professional development.
“Getting into a museum career is hard enough but ensuring people can develop themselves and progress is also a challenge. Often it isn't easy to find the opportunities or support needed to develop the skills and knowledge to progress to the next level in their career.”
The scheme will help people already working in the sector to develop a training programme tailored to their individual skills. Successful applicants will undertake an intensive six-month period of professional development, during which they will receive guidance in selecting activities that hone their specialism and knowledge base.
Griffiths hopes the bursaries will be used to fund a wide range of development opportunities, including overseas study trips, specialist coaching, shadowing colleagues and leadership training.
She said: “We are particularly keen to support individuals who want to take an innovative approach to their own development, or do things they would not have had the chance to do without the funding.”
The first round of applications closes at midday on Monday 10th May 2010.
To find out more about the Next Step Grant scheme, click here
