John Holt

John Holt

freelance writer

Last resort?

From traditional end-of-the-pier shows to modern art festivals, can culture turn the tide of decline and get people flocking back our seaside towns? By John Holt

Transfer window

With money tight and space at a premium, many museums are thinking hard about disposing of objects. But how are they going about the great giveaway? John Holt reports

Over to the feds…

With the MLA being wound down, there is a real need for federations to take the initiative and provide support and leadership in the regions. By John Holt

Support network

The ability of museum development officers to turn their hands to almost anything makes them vital to the sector. John Holt hears about their work

Help, I need somebody…

...but a mentor can't be just anybody, as John Holt finds out by talking to those who have benefited from one-to-one support

Money talks

The recession is affecting everyone who works in museums and galleries, but how are the fundraisers coping with the task of generating income for new developments? John Holt finds out

The campaign trail

As the Museums Association launches a drive to help the sector improve its advocacy skills, John Holt meets some professionals who are already making friends and influencing people

Survey says museum studies course content must change

Museums need to work more closely with universities to ensure that students are receiving the right training for the job, according to new research. John Holt reports

Just the job

The chance to turn a lifelong hobby into a living, the opportunity to work with priceless treasures or the simple desire for a change of pace has encouraged some professionals to quit lucrative careers for jobs in museums and galleries. John Holt talks to some of those who have made the switch

Air play

Air shows are just as popular as music festivals during the summer months. John Holt looks at how aviation museums keep enthusiasts and families flying through their doors

It’s good to talk

From their original status as glorified gallery assistants, explainers have become a vital part of how museums communicate science to visitors. By John Holt

Imagining the past

Museums in the West Midlands are using the region's industrial heritage to attract visitors, says John Holt