Small Grants Case Studies

The below case studies highlight the work our Small Grants programme has enabled, focusing on outcomes and lessons learned. Browse the selection by clicking on the museum title, to gain inspiration and advice from the varying museums.

Rutland County Museum Case Study: The main mixed collection store had no humidity control, except for the limited control gained through controlling temperatures with the small electric blow heaters. The small grant went to humidification equipment and insulation.

Oundle Museum Case Study: The Museum needed a new computer for the Management Committee’s workroom within the Museum. Our previous computer has been used specifically for the MODES system which has been set up and the whole Museum collection is being updated.  This new computer has enabled the committee to do research, use word, excel etc. as well as hopefully eventually the public (appointment only) when doing any local research.  It has also helped the Museum to keep up to date with technology and supports the sustainability of the Museum.

Louth Museum Case Study: With this grant we wanted to get display boards for our temporary exhibitions in the Bourn Room, to replace boards which were very heavy, unmanageable and could not be moved by our elderly volunteer staff. In order to improve the environment in the museum’s three galleries, we needed instruments that monitor ambient temperature and humidity. Previously we had relied on one thermo-hygrograph, which monitored only one location, and being several decades old was probably inaccurate.  Technologies have developed rapidly in recent years and we purchased three small modern thermo-hygrogrometers which provide reliable digital output.

Museum of Technology Case Study: As a new museum we needed to promote the proximity of the museum by means of signage. The front of the building required a very large weather proof sign which incorporated our logo, and signs which pointed visitors to the site. A disabled sign was needed to show where the smooth path was for wheelchair users. Along with all the outside signage, the new cabinets needed headings to explain the contents and a time line which explained the date of manufacture, there were 13 in all. All the signage and headings were achieved before the museum opened in August 2016.

Papplewick Pumping Station Case Study: The aim of the project was to consult with teachers and theatre technicians/writers and directors on how best to redesign a previous Pumping Station project called A Crack in Time in order to make it more sustainable. A Crack in Time was a theatre-in-education project that looked at historic and contemporary water issues using Papplewick Pumping Station and its history as the driving force of the narrative; whilst very successful it was also very expensive to run.

Ashby Museum Case Study: The map was donated to the Museum in a terrible state. Any viewing of it would destroy it still further. The aim was to conserve it professionally, using the Leicestershire County Record Office’s Conservator, Karenna Fry, who had done excellent work for us on previous occasions. Trustees agreed to get a quotation from her and then apply for a Grant. The result has been to preserve the map for future generations to enjoy and research.

Buxton Museum Case Study: In searching through the reserve collection for the gallery redevelopment, curators discovered some of the nation’s best evidence of cave lions. While not complete skeletons, this collection includes the remains of at least 3 individual lions found at Hindlow Quarry in the 1950s. Visitors were really interested when we laid out the skeletons and promoted this via Twitter, and we held a lecture about the importance of cave lions in British and European culture with Dr Jill Cook, curator of Ice Age Art, from the British Museum. There is sufficient material to articulate the whole of a hind leg and back paw of an individual (not necessarily all from the same individual). We have discussed the project with bone conservator Nigel Larkin who has estimated for this specialist work. We will need this work to be done in time to place it in the Time Line case in March 2017.