About us
Museum Development East Midlands (MDEM) is part of a national network of Museum Development providers across England. MDEM offers a continually updated programme of activities and support targeted at the needs of accredited museums and those with Working Towards Accreditation status.
Museum Development East Midlands has four key aims:
MDEM support museums towards a sustainable future, by running a suite of targeted development programmes, grant funds, training opportunities, support for county forums, advice, information and one-to-one support to help deliver the Arts Council’s strategy.
Support will be delivered to Accredited museums and those actively working towards Accreditation.
Leicestershire County Council will host the museum development programme and support the administration and governance of the regional Museum Development programme.
Our Mission and Purpose
MDEM is primarily funded by Arts Council England (ACE) and hosted by Leicestershire County Council.
The Programme Board oversees delivery of the programme against agreed targets and comprises representatives of accredited museums across the region.
MDEM is committed to equalities across all areas of its operation and to reducing the environmental impact of the programme.
Who we are
Meet the Museum Development East Midlands team
If you have a question or query and would like to know if we can help, get in touch with us, either by telephone or email. We look forward to hearing from you.
Liz Moran
Sarah Hartshorne
Museum Development Programme Officer
E: sarah.hartshorne@leics.gov.uk
Sarah is currently on maternity leave and will rejoin the team in late 2022.
Laura Hughes
Museum Development Project Officer
T: 07526 930074
E: laura.hughes@leics.gov.uk
Financial administration, grants administration, e-newsletter, county forums support, general enquiries.
Anita Hollinshead
Regional Collections Officer
T: 07876 166742
E: anita.hollinshead@leics.gov.uk
Collections advice, training and grant advice. Regional Emergency and Risk Network (ERN).
Heather Lomas
Organisational Health Programme Facilitator and Regional Accreditation Adviser
T: 07809 771066 / 01986 784477
E: office@heatherlomas.co.uk
Organisational Health Programme enquiries, Accreditation advice and support, Accreditation Mentors Network and recruitment of new mentors.
Recent News
See our news page 
Museum Development Programme Evaluation
Arts Council England has commissioned DC Research Ltd (in partnership with Durnin Research and Pomegranate) to carry out an evaluation of the impact of Arts Council England’s investment in the Museum Development Programme. As part of the evaluation, we would greatly...
Carbon Literacy Training – last chance to book!
** Last chance to book ** Our second round of Carbon Literacy training is open for bookings across the Midlands. Museum Development East Midlands (MDEM) and West Midlands Museum Development (WMMD) are partnering to deliver several rounds of training, using the Carbon...
Roots & Branches: Seeds for Action Survey
What do you need to continue to grow carbon initiatives and climate action in your museum? As part of the Roots & Branches project, funded by an Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant, Museum Development England are seeking your opinion on what...
Museum Development Programme Evaluation
Arts Council England has commissioned DC Research Ltd (in partnership with Durnin Research and Pomegranate) to carry out an evaluation of the impact of Arts Council England’s investment in the Museum Development Programme. As part of the evaluation, we would greatly...
Carbon Literacy Training – last chance to book!
** Last chance to book ** Our second round of Carbon Literacy training is open for bookings across the Midlands. Museum Development East Midlands (MDEM) and West Midlands Museum Development (WMMD) are partnering to deliver several rounds of training, using the Carbon...
Latest Tweets
See our twitter page
#Virtual tours were popular at the #heckingtonshow. They allow us to bring the cottage to events across the local area, while making our museum more ... accessible to those who cannot use the ladders.
@heartoflincs @HeritageFundUK @MusDevEM @kidsinmuseums @LincsKidsUk
Today is #PlayDay2022, a national celebration of children's right to play! 🤹♀️
We encourage UK museums to embrace playfulness through ... dedicated play training for museum staff, online guides and sharing best practice.
Find inspiration on our website: http://kidsinmuseums.org.uk/resources/category/play
Want to learn more about how to connect with and build family audiences after lockdown?
Join us for this exciting session on #connectingwithfamilies
... run in partnership with @amadigital & @SEmuseumD
19 Sept, 10am-12pm
https://www.sharemuseumseast.org.uk/events/event/connecting-with-families/