Opinion
What does the new migration policy mean for museums?
The government is a poor judge of what counts as 'skilled' work
The policy column | Addressing the power struggle
When deciding the theme for our annual conference, we work with colleagues in the host nation to take stock of what’s happening in the wider world and look at how museums are responding. For this year’s conference in Edinburgh, we’ve looked at the huge amount of change in the UK over the past five years, including …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …