Opinion
How can people affect change when they aren’t in a leadership role?
Thanh Sinden is a cultural consultant and the chair of Museum Detox; Pip Diment is the acting head of exhibitions at Amgueddfa Cymru (National Museum Wales) Dear Pip: Everyone, no matter their position, can affect change. It starts with noticing what’s missing or could work better, as well as understanding your purpose in your organisation …
Trust and shared understanding about the value of cultural diversity is vital
One wintry day towards the end of my secondment at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG), I was in The Past is Now, an exhibition that explored Birmingham’s role within the British empire, when I spotted a petite woman quietly studying the exhibition. As she turned around, I realised that it was Rita McLean, the …
The answer to diversifying museums is already there, outside our doors
Birmingham Museums has been working hard to diversify its staff, programming and audiences. We have had successes in increasing the representation of the people of Birmingham and their stories within our programmes and collections. Our workforce has had black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) managers, senior managers and trustees. We have won awards and recognition …
Digital | New voices
Staff-led podcasts offer a twist on the usual museum podcasts, as they showcase the favourite stories of those working behind the scenes, especially those who are less confident or unlikely to be heard often. Whether it is an anecdote about a museum object, exhibition, community project or outreach activity, pressing “record” on your staff and …
Editorial | Bold delivery needed for new ACE strategy
Arts Council England (ACE) unveiled its new 10-year strategy, which has the slightly underwhelming title of Let’s Create, just as Museums Journal went to press, so there will be more analysis of the document in our next issue. The introduction by the organisation’s chair, Nicholas Serota, begins with a tribute to the power of We’re …
The policy column | Museums are needed more than ever
As the dust settles after the general election many people who work in museums will be wondering what the next five years holds. Of course the Museums Association (MA) has no crystal ball, but one thing is certain – that more uncertainty is the order of the day. The big challenges include Brexit, the economy, …
All institutions need good governance
In our age of financial and political uncertainty, and faced with tricky ethical decisions, greater public scrutiny and the challenges of cultural, technological and demographic changes, the board’s role in governance has never been more complex – or vital. So it is essential that we share best practice and learnings, to lead a positive culture …
Voxpop: What is your new year museum resolution?
Museums Journal asks four museum professionals what changes they plan for their institutions and themselves in 2020
Museums play a crucial role in healing divides
As the national museum of democracy, our collections and our work have never been as relevant or resonant as they are today. This year marks a decade of the People’s History Museum (PHM) being in its current building, and 30 years in Greater Manchester, which feels like a good excuse for a celebration. We will …
Do we need a Black British Museum?
Dear Sandra: The question highlights a significant void in our national institutions that has resulted in highly fragmented and partial historical narratives that continue to shape ideas of British history and identity in very distorted ways. A Black British Museum would be a corrective and catalyst for wider sectoral change. It would serve as a …