When the Area Museum Councils (AMCs) were disbanded in 2003, there was an outcry from museums that were trying to raise their standards with minimal funding and support.
Six years later the decision to restructure the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and close its regional offices produced barely a whimper - Museums Journal received only one letter of concern.
When Gaby Porter and I reviewed the pilot phase of the Museums Association's (MA) Effective Collections programme in March we were concerned to find that some of the funds that were meant for increasing the use of collections had been used for basic care of collections advice, previously provided by AMCs. We also learned that several museums still cite poor storage and documentation as an excuse for not doing more with their collections.
As one of the original AMC training officers, I organised training to support museums to care for, understand and interpret their collections. When I took on the job at the South East Museums Service in the late 1980s, almost 40 events had been planned over nine months.
I believe that these events, alongside the work of the museum development officers, did much to raise the confidence of museum staff and encourage a culture of reciprocity.
Without AMCs, what support is available? After pursuing a few false leads, I found a list of museum advisers on the excellent Association of Independent Museums website. There is also a plethora of online resources.
Renaissance funds museum development officers in some regions and several federations continue to run workshops for their members. So it is disappointing that very few museums have yet to raise their level of ambition and take a long hard look at their collections, address the need for disposal or transfer and make the things they decide to keep work more effectively for everyone. How will they develop the confidence to start this process?
The next phase of the Effective Collections programme is launched this month. It will concentrate on the use of collections as a primary outcome, and will provide coaches to work with museum staff to develop their confidence and expertise in reviewing collections and developing plans for their use.
In spite of the recession, the impressive visitor figures we've seen recently suggest that more and more people desire the authentic experience that only museums can provide - it is now time to get stuff out of the closet so that people can engage with and appreciate the real thing.
Anne Murch provides coaching and consulting for people and organisations in the cultural sector
Six years later the decision to restructure the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and close its regional offices produced barely a whimper - Museums Journal received only one letter of concern.
When Gaby Porter and I reviewed the pilot phase of the Museums Association's (MA) Effective Collections programme in March we were concerned to find that some of the funds that were meant for increasing the use of collections had been used for basic care of collections advice, previously provided by AMCs. We also learned that several museums still cite poor storage and documentation as an excuse for not doing more with their collections.
As one of the original AMC training officers, I organised training to support museums to care for, understand and interpret their collections. When I took on the job at the South East Museums Service in the late 1980s, almost 40 events had been planned over nine months.
I believe that these events, alongside the work of the museum development officers, did much to raise the confidence of museum staff and encourage a culture of reciprocity.
Without AMCs, what support is available? After pursuing a few false leads, I found a list of museum advisers on the excellent Association of Independent Museums website. There is also a plethora of online resources.
Renaissance funds museum development officers in some regions and several federations continue to run workshops for their members. So it is disappointing that very few museums have yet to raise their level of ambition and take a long hard look at their collections, address the need for disposal or transfer and make the things they decide to keep work more effectively for everyone. How will they develop the confidence to start this process?
The next phase of the Effective Collections programme is launched this month. It will concentrate on the use of collections as a primary outcome, and will provide coaches to work with museum staff to develop their confidence and expertise in reviewing collections and developing plans for their use.
In spite of the recession, the impressive visitor figures we've seen recently suggest that more and more people desire the authentic experience that only museums can provide - it is now time to get stuff out of the closet so that people can engage with and appreciate the real thing.
Anne Murch provides coaching and consulting for people and organisations in the cultural sector
Links
The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation funds the MA's Effective Collections programme, www.museumsassociation.org/effective
The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation funds the MA's Effective Collections programme, www.museumsassociation.org/effective
