Calendar

Apr
26
Tue
Diversifying your museum board – Introduction to Diversity and Inclusion @ Zoom
Apr 26 @ 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Diversifying your museum board – Introduction to Diversity and Inclusion @ Zoom

Join MDEM and museum boards from across the region for a focused training session looking at diversity and inclusive practice at a governance level.

Particular insight and focus will be given to the following topics:

  • Gain an understanding of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Analyse and evaluate diversity strands outside of the Equality Act (Different types and categories of diversity)
  • Understanding the unconscious bias spectrum
  • What is microaggression and what are the types of microaggression?
  • Looking at best practices in other sectors and putting forward solutions

At the session you will gain practical insight into how to move forward practice in this area for your organisation, as well as be able to share your own experiences alongside museums from across the region.

Who is delivering the session?

This session is part of MDEM’s Organisational Health and Trustee Network suite of training, focusing on good practice in all aspects of governance. It is being delivered by Inclusive Boards.

Inclusive Boards began its work in the third sector, supporting some of the UK’s largest charities including Amnesty International, Big Lottery, British Red Cross and the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) with efforts to improve board diversity and develop stronger governance structures.

Today they have a diverse talent pool of over 60,000 professionals and a reach that expands into sectors and communities across the UK. They have worked with over 150 organisations on board and executive appointments in the STEM, sport, not-for-profit and public sectors.

Evidence shows that in order to ensure diversity of thought and experience is present during decision making processes, it’s imperative that there’s a diverse leadership team. Whether you’re just starting to think about inclusion, or you hold mandatory Diversity & Inclusion training every year – Inclusive Boards aims to support and strengthen diversity and inclusion within your organisation.

Who is it for?

This session is aimed specifically at museum trustees from Accredited museums across the East Midlands. We have 20 spaces available and 12 are specifically reserved for members of the ‘Succession Planning for Museum Boards’ programme 2022 run by MDEM.

If you are not from an Accredited museum in the region then unfortunately it is unlikely you will be offered a space at this workshop due to capacity. As this event is part of the MDEM Trustee Network, we would also recommend delegates sign up to join the free to access network as well.

Please note by signing up to MDEM training you are agreeing to our terms and conditions.

MDEM is committed to providing all training in an accessible format and have a dedicated budget to enable this. Please indicate as part of booking if you require any further access support or clarification.

To book your place, please click here.

Taking Climate Action: Carbon Literacy for East Midlands Museums
Apr 26 @ 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Taking Climate Action: Carbon Literacy for East Midlands Museums

About this event

Please note: attendees must attend all three sessions to be certified as Carbon Literate. You cannot send a colleague in your place.

Museum Development England, in partnership with Manchester Museum and The Carbon Literacy Project, has developed a new online Museums’ Carbon Literacy Toolkit that is being rolled out by Museum Development teams across England.

We’re excited to offer this programme of online courses for museums of all sizes in the East Midlands. The Toolkit and training are part of the Roots and Branches project, supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

By attending all three sessions, you (as an individual, not an organisation) will be certified as Carbon Literate. You can then share your course knowledge with staff, trustees and volunteers at your museum. This will help you focus on sustainability and lowering your carbon footprint. The course will be repeated in the East Midlands on 10th, 17th and 19th January 2023.

We will also be delivering two further courses in partnership with our colleagues at West Midlands Museum Development for museums across our two regions. One course will be specifically for Trustees (2nd, 9th and 11th August) and the other will be for Industrial Heritage sites and will be supported by Dr Mike Nevell, the Industrial Heritage Support Officer for England (1st, 8th and 10th November).

 

About the sessions:

PART 1: Tuesday 19th April – self-directed online learning module

This needs to be completed in your own time, by Tuesday 26th April. It takes 90 minutes, and covers a basic introduction to climate change.

PART 2: Tuesday 26th April, 10.00 – 12.30, via Zoom

The impacts of climate change, and what museums can do to reduce them. We will also look at equity and vulnerability.

PART 3: Thursday 28th April, 10.00am – 12.00pm (morning session) and 1.00pm – 3.00pm (afternoon session). Please attend both sessions which will be delivered by Zoom

Today we’ll discuss carbon budgets, carbon footprints, policy, and action planning.

This is a three-part programme, with a maximum capacity of 15 attendees.

Who should attend?

This course is for volunteers and paid staff who work across all service areas from Accredited Museums or those working towards Accreditation in the East Midlands. We advise that, where possible, two people from your organisation attend the course (each will become certified) for peer support when developing your pledges.

Apr
27
Wed
Planning for Success: Collections Development for Trustees @ Zoom
Apr 27 @ 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Planning for Success: Collections Development for Trustees @ Zoom

This session will focus on Collections Development Policy specifically for museum trustees, exploring its role in the museum, how to develop one, and its value to the museum in a practical sense. We will consider themes relevant to the policy such as organisation responsibilities and evaluating the current state of collections.

We will provide a brief overview of Spectrum to provide context. We will examine the Accreditation Collections Development Policy template and discuss scenarios and issues related to the different sections.

This event will be an opportunity for peer support and learning. Attendees are invited to send questions in advance, and ask questions and discuss during the session. The main session will be followed by an opportunity for peer network between trustees across both the East and West Midlands as part of the Trustee Network.

By the end of the session, delegates will:

  • Understand what a Collections Development Policy is and what it should contain.
  • Understand how to develop a Collections Development Policy that is fit for purpose.
  • Understand the role and value of a Collections Development Policy in decision-making and prevention of common problem areas.
  • Know where to find more information and guidance.
  • Have networked with other trustees across the Midlands

Before the session:

Read your Collections Development Policy, if you have access to one. You will also find it useful to have this with you to refer to during the session, if possible.

Who should attend?

This training session is specifically for museums trustees based in the East and West Midlands. It is for anyone on a museum board, and no prior collections knowledge is required. As this event is part of the MDEM Trustee Network, we would also recommend delegates sign up to join the free to access network as well.

Please note by signing up to MDEM training you are agreeing to our terms and conditions.

MDEM is committed to providing all training in an accessible format and have a dedicated budget to enable this. Please indicate as part of booking if you require any further access support or clarification.

To book your place, please click here.

Apr
29
Fri
Emergency and Risk Network – Sustainable Materials for Salvage
Apr 29 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Emergency and Risk Network – Sustainable Materials for Salvage

About this event

This online meeting will begin with a short update from network coordinator Anita Hollinshead followed by a presentation on ‘Sustainable Materials for Salvage’ by Lorraine Finch of LFCP. Lorraine is a co-founder and the Chair of the Institute of Conservation’s Environmental Sustainability Network and works closely with the environmental sustainability groups and movements in cultural heritage.

This will be followed by an open discussion, Q&A and an opportunity to share your experiences.

Who should attend:

This event is for members of the Emergency and Risk Network in the East Midlands. Anyone from a museum or heritage site in the region is welcome to join, and you can do so here . The Network welcomes new members.

Please note by signing up to MDEM training you are agreeing to our terms and conditions.

MDEM is committed to providing all training in an accessible format and have a dedicated budget to enable this. Please indicate as part of booking if you require any further access support or clarification.

May
18
Wed
Engaging With Schools – East Midlands Catch Up @ Zoom
May 18 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Engaging With Schools - East Midlands Catch Up @ Zoom

This short and informal online session is a chance for museum staff and volunteers across the East Midlands to come together to share what they have been doing with regards to school visits and outreach sessions.

 

Aims of the Session

  • A chance to informally talk to others in the region about the current situation with museum learning in schools.
  • Hear examples of what Creative Learning Services have been delivering to schools in the region.
  • An update from all about this current term.
  • Hear case studies from across the region

This session will be hosted by Programme Facilitator Mary Sibson – Creative Learning Services and will feature a talk around a project for co-curation and sharing cultural stories with schools, titled ‘What did you put in your suitcase when you left Uganda?’

Over the past 2 years, Leicestershire County Council’s Participation Team, Collections team and Creative Learning Services have been working in partnership with Loughborough University’s Memories of Migration and Partition project and the Anand Mangal ladies’ group in Loughborough.

Esther Shaw (LCC community participation officer) will talk about how this project evolved from the ladies’ connections with objects and shared interpretations of what the objects mean to them. A shared interest in the heritage of textiles resulted in a visit to the County’s Collections and a creative stitching workshop. The ladies were also supported with a fashion show at the local Mela. The ladies’ precious textiles were then displayed through a co-curated process and the ‘Stitching Traditions’ exhibition was launched in Loughborough Charnwood Museum.

Mary Sibson ( CLS Creative Learning Officer) will then talk about how the group were supported to deliver their stories to young pupils within a primary school setting. They told the stories that they wanted to share; gathered the resources including personal photos and objects; demonstrated their creative skills and encouraged the children to participate fully in group activities, games, traditional crafts and dancing; and built a trusting and respectful relationship with the children, welcoming all types of questions.

The session will be run on the online meeting platform Zoom and details of how to join the session will be sent to delegates the day before.

Who is it for?

This event is aimed at members of the Engaging with Schools network. This is a free to access network for museum staff and volunteers from Accredited museums and those working towards Accreditation in the East Midlands. New members are welcome, and you can simply join the network by visiting our website.

By joining an MDEM training session, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions.

Entering the Museum: Object entry, acquisition & accessioning for Trustees @ Zoom
May 18 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Entering the Museum: Object entry, acquisition & accessioning for Trustees @ Zoom

This session will explore the management and documentation involved with the acquisition and accessioning of objects, using the Spectrum 5.0 procedures as a framework.

How do you manage objects coming into your organisation? Do you have problems with unsolicited donations and what can you do with the stuff you don’t want? What is important in acquisition-related decision-making?

There will opportunities to discuss with colleagues, ask questions throughout and submit questions in advance including the opportunity for peer network between trustees across both the East and West Midlands as part of the Trustee Network.

By the end of the session, delegates will:

  • Understand the role of the Spectrum standard, and its supporting guidance, in relation to museum Accreditation.
  • Understand policy considerations for acquisitions.
  • Understand organisational responsibilities relating to acquisitions.
  • Understand the Spectrum requirements for Object entry and Acquisition and accessioning.
  • Know where to find more information and guidance.

Before the session:

If possible, read what Spectrum has to say about Object entry and Acquisition and accessioning – including the standard and suggested procedure.

Think about how acquisitions are processed in your museum, referring to the in-house procedural manual, if you have access to it. You might also find it useful to have it with you to refer to during the session.

Who should attend?

This training session is specifically for museums trustees based in the East and West Midlands. It is for anyone on a museum board, and no prior collections knowledge is required. As this event is part of the MDEM Trustee Network, we would also recommend delegates sign up to join the free to access network as well.

Please note by signing up to MDEM training you are agreeing to our terms and conditions.

MDEM is committed to providing all training in an accessible format and have a dedicated budget to enable this. Please indicate as part of booking if you require any further access support or clarification.

To book your place, please click here.

Jun
8
Wed
Museum Collections for Trustees: An Overview of Loans @ Zoom
Jun 8 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Museum Collections for Trustees: An Overview of Loans @ Zoom

This session will explore the management and documentation involved when borrowing and lending objects, using the Spectrum 5.0 procedures as a framework:

  • Loans in – managing objects you borrow for a fixed period of time and for a specific purpose.
  • Loans out – assessing requests for you to lend your objects and managing the lending process until loans are returned to you.

There will opportunities to discuss with colleagues, ask questions throughout and submit questions in advance including the opportunity for peer network between trustees across both the East and West Midlands as part of the Trustee Network.

By the end of the session attendees will:

  • Understand the role of the Spectrum standard, and its supporting guidance, in relation to museum Accreditation.
  • Understand policy considerations for loans.
  • Understand responsibilities for borrowing and lending.
  • Understand the benefits of lending and borrowing.
  • Understand the Spectrum requirements for Loans in and Loans out.
  • Know where to find more information and guidance.

Before the session:

If possible, read what Spectrum has to say about Loans in – including the standard and suggested procedure.

If possible, read what Spectrum has to say about Loans out – including the standard and suggested procedure.

Think about how loans are processed in your museum, referring to the in-house procedural manual, if you have access to it. You might also find it useful to have it with you to refer to during the session.

Who should attend?

This training session is specifically for museums trustees based in the East and West Midlands. It is for anyone on a museum board, and no prior collections knowledge is required. As this event is part of the MDEM Trustee Network, we would also recommend delegates sign up to join the free to access network as well.

Please note by signing up to MDEM training you are agreeing to our terms and conditions.

MDEM is committed to providing all training in an accessible format and have a dedicated budget to enable this. Please indicate as part of booking if you require any further access support or clarification.

To book your place, please click here.

Jun
9
Thu
Introduction to National Lottery Project Grants (including Unlocking Collections)
Jun 9 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Introduction to National Lottery Project Grants (including Unlocking Collections)
This session will introduce/focus on Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants (NLPG) and Unlocking Collections

 

Join Zelina Garland-Rowan, Relationship Manager (Museums & Engagement, Arts Council England) and Anita Hollinshead, Collections Officer (MDEM) for this session which will introduce and focus on Arts Council England’s open access programme: National Lottery Project Grants (NLPG) and Unlocking Collections, a time-limited priority within the programme.

By the end of the session, delegates will: understand the project funding available for museums and collections and be able to access the guidance available when thinking about making an application.

Who should attend: anyone interested in applying to Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grants for grants between £1000 and £100,000 for a museum or collections-based project.

By joining an MDEM training session, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions.

Jun
10
Fri
Writing an Emergency Plan for Smaller Museums
Jun 10 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Writing an Emergency Plan for Smaller Museums
This online workshop will provide a practical framework for writing and updating Emergency Plans for smaller museums.

 

This workshop will be based upon the Emergency Plan template for museums developed by the ERN network.

This short workshop will introduce the template, and will discuss in practical steps how smaller museums might use it to update their own plans and procedures in this area.

Aims of the session for delegates:

  • to become confident in using MDEM’s Emergency Plan template
  • raised awareness in how to include pandemic contingency plans into a museum’s Emergency Plan
  • confidence in undertaking a ‘risk assessment of threats’ to support the Emergency Planning process
  • understanding of the Museum Accreditation requirements for Emergency Planning

The event will be run by Regional Collections Officer and Emergency Planning Network leader, Anita Hollinshead.

Who can attend:

This session is for all Accredited Museums in the East Midlands, but will focus particularly on smaller organisations. This means both fully voluntary or with a small staff team.

By joining an MDEM training session, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions.

Jun
24
Fri
‘There’s a hole in my costume!’ – a focus on moths and carpet beetles
Jun 24 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
'There’s a hole in my costume!' - a focus on moths and carpet beetles
*** NOW FULLY BOOKED ***

Textile pests are on the increase and many heritage institutions are seeing two or more insect lifecycles during a year. The damage is usually blamed on moths, but not all holes in textiles are caused by moths.

This session will look at the materials that textiles pests live on in the natural world and in collections, the life cycle of the pests, the conditions that they like and how we can deter them. Plus an identification guide to the insects.

Suitable for: All those with organic materials in their collections or those who want to know how to stop their jumpers from being full of holes!

You can sign up to join the MDEM Pest Network here but you do not have to do this in order to attend this workshop.

By joining an MDEM training session, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions.