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:
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.
Claire Browne
Museum Development Manager
T: 07973 800072
E: claire.browne@leics.gov.uk
Management of the programme, grants and funding advice, organisational change and related enquiries, setting up a new museum and local, regional and national partnership opportunities.
Sarah Hartshorne
Museum Development Programme Officer
T: 07526 930069
E: sarah.hartshorne@leics.gov.uk
Working days: Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs
Training, development programmes and regional networks. Annual data survey and organisational health check, website and communications.
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
T: 07876 166742
E: anitahollinshead@hotmail.com
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 
East Midlands Heritage Volunteering Network Launch
Museum Development East Midlands (MDEM) and the East Midlands Heritage Volunteering Group (EMHVG) are thrilled to be jointly launching a digital network for heritage volunteer managers both paid and voluntary, in the East Midlands. This network is launching as part...
Trustee Vacancies – Social History Curators Group
Closing date for applications Friday 11 June, 5pm SHCG is looking to recruit 7 new trustees this year: Secretary, Treasurer and 5 Ordinary Trustees. Ordinary trustees serve for two years and the Secretary and Treasurer serve three years. The roles which are available...
Access in Museums: East Midlands Support
MDEM have launched a suite of support for museums who want tor review and improve their accessibility. On offer to organisations is two training sessions and some bespoke consultancy support in this area. This will be particularly useful for anyone wanting to review...
East Midlands Heritage Volunteering Network Launch
Museum Development East Midlands (MDEM) and the East Midlands Heritage Volunteering Group (EMHVG) are thrilled to be jointly launching a digital network for heritage volunteer managers both paid and voluntary, in the East Midlands. This network is launching as part...
Trustee Vacancies – Social History Curators Group
Closing date for applications Friday 11 June, 5pm SHCG is looking to recruit 7 new trustees this year: Secretary, Treasurer and 5 Ordinary Trustees. Ordinary trustees serve for two years and the Secretary and Treasurer serve three years. The roles which are available...
Latest Tweets
See our twitter page
Over the next few weeks Regional Collections Advisor @hollinsheada is filming some exciting shorts to support museums with some collections care ... skills - watch this space!
🚨 Last chance to apply 🚨
Nominations for the #FamilyFriendlyMuseum Award close at 5pm today.
There's still time to get your application in on ... our website! 👉 http://kidsinmuseums.org.uk/awards
Thank you to everyone who has supported the award this year. It is hugely appreciated 🙏
Team MDEM we’re thrilled to get a sneaky peak @NottmCastle ahead of their reopening after a major redevelopment. Great to see the evolution of the ... museum and thanks to the team for being so welcoming. Good luck all!