The challenges and opportunities of museum development were discussed at a well-attended session at the Museums Association (MA) conference today.
Museum development is largely funded by Arts Council England and the current funding round lasts until March 2015.
Conference delegates heard how museum development is provided in three areas: Yorkshire; East Midlands; and East of England. All three speakers agreed that partnerships and networks were at the heart of museum development.
“Peer-to-peer learning is at the centre of our programme,” said Natasha Hutcheson, the regional museum development manager at Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service. “Museums in our region don't just take from the museum development programme, they put into it as well.”
East Midlands museum development manager Claire Browne said: “We have decided that the only thing that is going to make museum development sustainable is to work in partnership.”
Session chair Lucy Shaw, manager at Oxford Aspire, asked the speakers for their future priorities for museum development.
Michael Turnpenny, museum development manager at Museum Development Yorkshire, said he was keen for organisations to understand all facets of the business of running a museum.
Browne and Hutcheson both said it was vital to maintain museum networks and to continue to offer high-quality support for all types of museums.
The speakers also discussed the need to make stronger links between Accreditation and museum development.
Museum development is largely funded by Arts Council England and the current funding round lasts until March 2015.
Conference delegates heard how museum development is provided in three areas: Yorkshire; East Midlands; and East of England. All three speakers agreed that partnerships and networks were at the heart of museum development.
“Peer-to-peer learning is at the centre of our programme,” said Natasha Hutcheson, the regional museum development manager at Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service. “Museums in our region don't just take from the museum development programme, they put into it as well.”
East Midlands museum development manager Claire Browne said: “We have decided that the only thing that is going to make museum development sustainable is to work in partnership.”
Session chair Lucy Shaw, manager at Oxford Aspire, asked the speakers for their future priorities for museum development.
Michael Turnpenny, museum development manager at Museum Development Yorkshire, said he was keen for organisations to understand all facets of the business of running a museum.
Browne and Hutcheson both said it was vital to maintain museum networks and to continue to offer high-quality support for all types of museums.
The speakers also discussed the need to make stronger links between Accreditation and museum development.
