Even the most hard-bitten and cynical Londoners couldn't help being the tiniest bit pleased when the result of the Olympic bid was announced in July.
But as soon as the euphoria settled down most of us were asking: 'What's really in it for us?' That's exactly what museums need to get to grips with too. And without wanting to sound too cheesy, it's not just about what museums can get out of it; it's also about what museums can put in.
You may be wondering what the rush is - the Olympics are seven years off so surely we don't need to start planning a Science of Sport/Local Heroes exhibition yet? But the Cultural Olympiad - the four-year festival of culture that runs in between the games - will start when the 2008 Beijing Games close.
That's just three years from now, and considering museums plan their exhibition programmes up to three years in advance, it does make the question of a coordinated approach from the sector a little more pressing.
The games will have an effect on the whole of the UK - VisitBritain estimates half a million extra visitors spending £2bn during 2012 - but the biggest impact will be in London and, in particular, the five host boroughs; Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and Greenwich.
There are a handful of museums in these boroughs. The National Maritime Museum has grand plans to host equestrian and modern pentathlon events.
The Museum of Childhood, which will have finished the second phase of its development by then, will take part in the youth festival, which is part of the Cultural Olympiad. But the smaller non-national museums in these boroughs also need to be involved in the cultural programme.
The regional agency, ALM London, called the first meeting to discuss the sector's input into the cultural programme last month. National, non-national, independent and local authority museums were all represented. Hopefully, this will become the nucleus of a committee that can give museums a voice at a higher level.
In addition, museums can begin to think about their contributions. The cultural programme shouldn't be overly prescriptive: we don't want exhibition themes dictated, with only a tenuous link to collections, but the events must have a focus.
And as it was probably the youth, community and diversity aspect of the bid that clinched the deal, perhaps that's the best place to start.
Independent thinkers wanted
Magazines, like museums, need critical input from their users. Museums Journal and Museum Practice are looking for new members for their editorial panel.
We need readers who are prepared to tell us what works (and what doesn't); suggest ideas; and contribute to the development of the Museums Association's publications.
Sharon Heal, editor
sharon@museumsassociation.org
But as soon as the euphoria settled down most of us were asking: 'What's really in it for us?' That's exactly what museums need to get to grips with too. And without wanting to sound too cheesy, it's not just about what museums can get out of it; it's also about what museums can put in.
You may be wondering what the rush is - the Olympics are seven years off so surely we don't need to start planning a Science of Sport/Local Heroes exhibition yet? But the Cultural Olympiad - the four-year festival of culture that runs in between the games - will start when the 2008 Beijing Games close.
That's just three years from now, and considering museums plan their exhibition programmes up to three years in advance, it does make the question of a coordinated approach from the sector a little more pressing.
The games will have an effect on the whole of the UK - VisitBritain estimates half a million extra visitors spending £2bn during 2012 - but the biggest impact will be in London and, in particular, the five host boroughs; Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and Greenwich.
There are a handful of museums in these boroughs. The National Maritime Museum has grand plans to host equestrian and modern pentathlon events.
The Museum of Childhood, which will have finished the second phase of its development by then, will take part in the youth festival, which is part of the Cultural Olympiad. But the smaller non-national museums in these boroughs also need to be involved in the cultural programme.
The regional agency, ALM London, called the first meeting to discuss the sector's input into the cultural programme last month. National, non-national, independent and local authority museums were all represented. Hopefully, this will become the nucleus of a committee that can give museums a voice at a higher level.
In addition, museums can begin to think about their contributions. The cultural programme shouldn't be overly prescriptive: we don't want exhibition themes dictated, with only a tenuous link to collections, but the events must have a focus.
And as it was probably the youth, community and diversity aspect of the bid that clinched the deal, perhaps that's the best place to start.
Independent thinkers wanted
Magazines, like museums, need critical input from their users. Museums Journal and Museum Practice are looking for new members for their editorial panel.
We need readers who are prepared to tell us what works (and what doesn't); suggest ideas; and contribute to the development of the Museums Association's publications.
Sharon Heal, editor
sharon@museumsassociation.org
