National Portrait Gallery reopens after 3 year closure
On 22 June the National Portrait Gallery will reopen to the public after an extensive refurbishment costing over £44m. The ‘Inspiring People’ project is the largest redevelopment in its history and combines the creation of public spaces, a more welcoming visitor entrance and public forecourt with a new Learning Centre. The project also comprises a complete re-presentation of their collection. Opening exhibitions include ‘Yevonde: Life and Colour’ exploring the life and career of the 20th century photographer and from 28 June ‘Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-64: Eyes of the Storm’. Dr Nicholas Cullinan said: “Our programme of exhibitions for our first year presents some of the world’s best known artists in a fresh light, contains extraordinary and never-before-seen images, uncovers the work of remarkable innovators, charts important cultural terrain and showcases the greatest contemporary portraiture.”
To mark the occasion, 80 arts venues and organisations will celebrate portraiture from 1 June until the end of July with a series of events titled ‘Portrait Mode’. This include the launch of a new annual ‘International Portrait Day’, celebrated on 23 June. NPG, Telegraph, M+H Advisor (Portrait Mode)
Sheffield Museums called on the public to help in the recovery of a number of on-loan objects relating to metalworking from the Ken Hawley Collection Trust taken from the museum on 14 May. Kim Streets, Chief Executive of Sheffield Museums Trust, said: “We’re deeply saddened by the break-in at Kelham Island Museum over the weekend, which appears to have been a carefully planned theft.Like museums across the country, we care for the objects entrusted to us and work with our partners and communities to celebrate the remarkable feats of innovation, creativity and excellence they represent. The historical significance of these items goes far beyond any financial value they hold. They span one of the first objects hallmarked by Sheffield Assay Office to knives made by one of our last Little Mesters, the much-missed Stan Shaw, and are irreplaceable touchstones of Sheffield’s rich heritage. Some of these items are likely to find their way onto the market and are very distinctive. We’re appealing to the public to be vigilant and to share any information they have that might aid their recovery with South Yorkshire Police.”Sheffield Museums, BBC, Museums AssociationAlso: ACE/Collections Trust – The Museum Security Toolkit supports improving museum security against theft and integrates security awareness into staff development. Collections Trust
Concerns raised over cost cutting measures at Glasgow Museums
Glasgow City Council has been urged to reconsider proposed museum cuts that will see the loss of 37 jobs. The Museums Association reported the plans will see almost a third of jobs cut from the museums and collections team at Glasgow Life, the charitable trust that oversees the city’s cultural services. The council is looking to save around £712,000 through reductions to conservation and learning teams and £26,000 from the operational budget. A spokesman for Glasgow Life said: “Glasgow’s collection receives careful and considered care and this is going to continue. The savings Glasgow Life is making this year adds up to around 9% of the annual service fee it receives from Glasgow City Council. The plans agreed in February ensure we will not have to close any venues. Wherever possible we have identified ways of making savings by reducing, rather than losing, Glasgow Life services, programmes and events; retaining the potential to rebuild them in the future.”Museums Association, Glasgow Times
Also: Concern over impact of 5% cuts to Northern Ireland’s museum bodies, Museums Association
Science Museum plans for new Horizons gallery following seven figure gift from Peter Bennett Foundation
The major new gallery will explore the latest innovations in science, engineering and technology that are responding to society’s most pressing challenges – from environmental changes, to global pandemics, to feeding a rapidly growing population. Located on the ground floor of the museum, in the current Exploring Space gallery, Horizons will display new acquisitions alongside their historic collections. M+H Advisor
Tate reveals complete rehang of their free collection displays
For the first time in 10 years Tate Britain has re-displayed over 800 works by 350 artists including new commissions. Alex Farquharson, Director of Tate Britain, said: “… visitors to Tate Britain will be able to explore 500 years of revolutionary changes in art, culture and society, culminating in new work by some of Britain’s most exciting contemporary artists. We will celebrate the very best of British art and show how it speaks to us, challenges us, and inspires us.” The rehang has garnered a lot of press coverage. Tate, Times(£), Sunday Times(£), Guardian, Art Newspaper(£), Independent, FT(£), Telegraph(£), Evening Standard, Apollo Magazine
An ACE Touring Projects grant of £336,000 will enable MAGNET (The Museums and Galleries Network for Exhibition Touring) to develop and tour three new exhibitions, opening in 2025. £75,000 from Art Fund will help fund a three-year full-time MAGNET Co-ordinator post to ensure smooth running of the network. MAGNET brings together 12 partners from across England, plus the Touring Exhibitions Group (TEG). Nick Merriman, Chief Executive of the Horniman Museum and Gardens and MAGNET lead, says: “There is now real momentum and a nationwide movement to support touring exhibitions. We know that, by pooling our resources, we can offer high-quality, co-curated exhibitions that make the collections of the whole network accessible to the public in a meaningful way. Thanks to Arts Council England and Art Fund we can now continue MAGNET’s reach beyond the walls and vaults of any one museum and into local communities around the country.” The three new collections-based exhibitions, to be developed in partnership by MAGNET venues, are:
A for Anthropocene (working title) at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery and Derby’s Museum and Art Gallery, followed later by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, Manchester Museum and the Horniman
What Does Colour Mean To You? (working title) at Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Tullie, Carlisle, and Gosport Museum and Art Gallery, followed by Sheffield Museums and Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
Gender Stories (working title) at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery and Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, followed by World Museum Liverpool. MAGNET, Museums Association, M+H Advisor
Sir John Soane’s Drawing Office is open to the public for the first time in 200 years
After extensive restoration Sir John Soane’s Museum has opened the Drawing Office alongside a new residency programme. During its peak, six pupils worked there, twelve hours a day, six days a week. Soane retired from practice in 1833 retaining two assistants until his death in 1837. The space is too small to be opened up fully to the public but bookable tours will run on Thursdays and Saturdays. Sir John Soane, Londonist
A University of Oxford Council review has concluded that the Sackler name should be removed from University buildings, spaces and staff positions with the full support of the Sackler family. The decision comes in light of the Sackler family's business links to addictive opioid drugs and following the removal of the Sackler name by other institutions such as the British Museum. The Sackler name will be retained on the Clarendon Arch and on the Ashmolean Museum’s donor board for the purposes of historical recording of donations to the University. All donations received from the Sackler family and their trusts will be retained by the University. No new donations have been received from either the family or their trusts since January 2019. University of Oxford, BBC, Guardian, CNN
The National Museum of the Royal Navy have raised £120,000 to save a rare polar expedition sledge flag used in the hunt for Franklin’s doomed expedition, with a £98,170 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and £40,000 from the Art Fund. The museum exceeded the £120,000 required to save the flag which will enable it to be put on display at three of the museum’s regional sites, Hartlepool, Portsmouth and Belfast, once it has undergone conservation treatment. Arts and Heritage Minister, Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, said; "I am delighted that this flag – an important link with our past, and a symbol of courage and curiosity – has been saved for the nation."NMRN, BBC
The Hackney museum’s renovation, which saw new extensions creating an 80% increase in exhibition space for the museum’s collections and 50% more public space, has been recognised by a RIBA East London Regional Award. The architectural recognition comes after the Museum of the Home reopened following an £18.1m redevelopment in 2021. RIBA
Museum of London Docklands celebrates 20 years as funding drive continues for new museum
The Museum of London Docklands celebrates its 20th anniversary in June with a ‘Street Party’ including a Pub Quiz with Drag Race UK star Vanity Milan. Meanwhile the Museum of London confirmed the completion of the first phase of restoration work on the site of the new museum at the General Market in Smithfield. Plans now propose opening the museum in two phases from 2026, with the Poultry Market site opening in 2028. Museum of London (anniversary), Museum of London (new museum), Building Design, Construction News
Following the success of Peter Jackson’s film ‘They Shall Not Grow Old’, £180,000 of the £2.5m royalties have been used to fund 9 new arts commissions to create works inspired by the heritage of conflict. The nine organisations, selected by IWM through a competitive and open round of expressions of interest, will receive £20,000. They are: Bentley Priory Museum in Stanmore, The Box in Plymouth, The Brickworks Museum in Burlesdon, Ffotogallery in Cardiff, Freedom Festival Arts Trust in Hull, The Harris Museum in Preston, Nerve Centre in Derry-Londonderry, Sweet Patootee Arts based in London, and The Unicorn Preservation Society in Dundee. Commissions will run from 2023-25. IWM, M+H Advisor
The Guardian reported that the British Museum had ended their sponsorship relationship with BP after 27 years. The museum confirmed that no further exhibitions or other activities are being sponsored by BP and “there are no other contracts or agreements in effect between the museum and BP”. The Telegraph reported that the relationship had not completely ended - “We have not ended our partnership with BP. BP is a valued long-term supporter of the museum and our current partnership runs until this year.” Guardian, Telegraph
Funded by DCMS and distributed by the BFI, the Global Screen Fund has been awarded to 24 British companies working in independent film, tv, animation and video games. The awards range from £50,000 to £144,000. BFI (press release, PDF), Arts Professional(£)
National Archives launches grant funding for the archives sector
Following consultation of 150 archives and other key stakeholders in 2022 as part of a wider refresh approach to funding, the National Archives have launched a new vision and funding programme for 2023 - 2024.There will be a launch webinar on Wed 14 June to introduce the new programmes, including four grant programmes which will be immediately open for archivists to apply to, sign up here - Webinar. National Archives
Culture Minister commits to creative industry jobs
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lucy Frazer, gave a speech to the Enders Media and Telecoms Conference on 18th May outlining a commitment to grow the creative industries by an extra £50bn by 2030 and create a million jobs, across the country by 2030. She reiterated that the creative industries are one of the five priority sectors for Government. FT, Gov.uk (speech)
Culture Commons is inviting partners to explore the impact of cultural devolution in the UK. The aim is to co-design a new package of policy measures that could support more equitable and sustainable creative and cultural activity. Culture Commons are seeking local government, academic, industry and third sector organisations on an 18 month policy development programme. Culture Commons
Martyn’s Law – Counter Terrorism proposals published
On 2 May the Government published the draft Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyn’s Law. The legislation intends to improve public safety, enhancing national security and reducing the risk to the public from terrorism following lessons learnt from the Manchester bombing in 2017. It places the requirement on those responsible for certain premises and events to consider the threat from terrorism and implement appropriate and proportionate mitigation measures. Proposals apply to premises which are accessible to the public, including museums and galleries that have a public capacity greater than 100 individuals. It also covers events (e.g. festivals) which have a public capacity of 800 or more individuals. The Government has produced a Fact Sheet with more information. There is no current date set for implementation. Gov.uk (Fact Sheet), Gov.uk (draft bill), Protect UK (Home Office Hub for counter-terrorism advice)
Government consultation on charities tax compliance
HM Revenue & Customs is consulting with the charity sector to help tackle non-compliance and protect the integrity of the sector. The consultation seeks views on several areas including:
Master of Jesus College at the University of Cambridge speaks to UN on restitution of Benin Bronze
Sonita Alleyne, Master of Jesus College at Cambridge University, spoke to the United Nations Working Group of Experts on People of African Decent where she highlighted the return of a Benin Bronze in October 2021 and her reflections on the impact of that decision including the legality of transfer and ownership. The University of Cambridge was the first UK institution to return a Benin Bronze. Alleyne said: “In the last 18 months institutions in the UK, such as Aberdeen University and the Horniman Museum have joined with institutions in America and national leadership from France, Belgium and Germany to return single and whole collections of Benin Bronzes. This is real action.” “The tone has shifted and the implication is that the time of Africa bargaining for, begging for and buying back its stolen loot is over. It expects its cultural property to be returned.”UN (from 33.40mins), Cambridge Uni, Art Newspaper (£) Also: Cambridge Uni postpone the handover of 116 Benin Bronzes following recognition of the Oba, or King of Benin as owner of the Bronzes, BBC
Also: Greece looks to Vienna for new boost on Parthenon Sculptures, IndependentAnd: Declassified documents on Parthenon Marbles reveal rift between UK government and British Museum, Art Newspaper(£)
Also: Ghanaian ruler pushes British Museum to return Asante gold, BBC
In April 2023 members of the NMDC Spoliation Working Group organised a training session to support museum professionals in researching the Nazi-era provenance of collections. A full report of the session is available to read on the NMDC website. NMDC
Also: Fears looted Nazi art still hanging in European galleries, Observer
A debate on funding the arts was sparked by a piece in the Guardian by Nicholas Hytner, ‘The arts in Britain are teetering on the brink. Here is my plan to save them’, 17 May 20203, Guardian. This prompted a number of responses including one from current Arts Council Chair Nicholas Serota, ‘Changes to arts funding are always divisive – we were right to focus on access for all’, 25 May 2023, Guardian and ‘Community arts should not be segregated from ‘real’ art’, Arts Professional.
Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) Round 3 open for applications
The MEND fund distributed by ACE opened for full application forms from 30 May with a deadline of midday on 18 August. Targeted at non-national Accredited museums to undertake vital infrastructure and urgent maintenance backlogs which are beyond the scope of day-to-day maintenance budgets. There is a webinar for anyone with questions on the application process on 8 June. Grants range from £50,000 to £5m. ACE, Webinar
National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) grants increased from £5 to £10m from 30 May. As previously mentioned in the NLHF new strategy, applications are now being accepted for larger grants to support larger-scale heritage projects across the UK. The application and decision making process is the same as for grants between £250,000-£5m and should consider the NLHF’s 4 new investment principles;
ACE Museum Development Programme 2024-6 applications open for partners
ACE are looking for providers to deliver the Museum Development Programme. Organisations that can apply include: public authorities, local government, universities, charitable bodies, accredited museums, including National Portfolio Organisations 2023-26, and excludes those that exist to make a financial profit. For 2024-26 there is a shift from 9 Regional Development Programmes to 5 Area Museum Development Programmes. The overall standstill budget for Museum Development of £3,352,869. Applications close on 6 July. ACE (website), ACE (guidance for applicants, PDF)
ACE's Capital Investment Programme is for cultural organisations based in England who are accredited or working towards accreditation. The programme supports physical and digital projects that will help organisations operate safely, improve access, seize technological opportunities and reduce environmental impact. Organisations can apply for grants from £100,000 to £750,000. Applications close on 7 July. There is a webinar on 9 June with more information. ACE (guidance) ACE (webinar)
Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) opens UK-wide programme in conjunction with Heritage Fund
The £5m fund is looking to support 10-13 organisations to become sustainable Heritage Development Trusts by offering;
Three years of revenue funding, up to £70,000 per year
Project grants to rescue and reuse historic buildings, up to £75,000
Peer support to build confidence and knowledge
Consultant project advisers
Open to charities and social enterprises. Sign up to online briefings in June to find out more. Deadline for expressions of interest 26 June. NLHF (news story), AHF (guidance), AHF (application)
Research England Higher Education Museums and Galleries Fund open
Applications are now open for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding for higher education museums and galleries (HEMG). The fund is also being reviewed by a panel led by Nick Merriman, Chief Executive of the Horniman Museum, considering to what extent it meets core Research England policy aims and promotes excellence in research and scholarship. The £11.7m fund is intended to enable museums to provide a service to the wider research community outside of their home institution, and they must demonstrate a unique and significant contribution to research and scholarship. Allocations will run from the academic year 2024 to 2025 onwards, with funding expected to remain fixed for a 5 year period, and the deadline for applications is 14 September 2023. UKRI
AIM's new programme seeks to harness opportunities to increase wellbeing in twenty-seven specified deprived areas in England and give more people the chance to get involved in their local museum and build meaningful relationships. Funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Know Your Neighbourhood Fund through Arts Council England (ACE), AIM’s Connected Communities scheme offers grants of £15,000 – £100,000 to museums delivering projects in eligible areas that will improve community connections. Funding will be given to projects with the following outcomes –
Reduced risk of loneliness and increased levels of social connections for participants
And/or – improved accessibility of high-quality volunteering opportunities
And – Improved organizational relationships with local institutions and other partners engaged in similar work.
The deadline for expressions of interest is 8 June with full applications in by 10 August. AIM (including list of eligible areas)
Climate and Cultural Heritage fund to address urgent global challenges
This €5m fund is open to UK organisations to submit research proposals that focus on 3 themes;
The impact of climate change on cultural heritage
Cultural heritage as a resource for climate mitigation and adaption
Sustainable solutions for heritage.
Proposals must be submitted by a consortium of a minimum of three principal investigators from three different countries and also involves at least one societal partner. Projects must last up to 3 years and start no later than 30 June 2024. The deadline for applications is 8 September. CCHAlso: Nevada Museum of Art acts to reduce its carbon footprint – and energy costs, Art Newspaper(£), Nevada Museum of Art
Visual arts organisations in England, including galleries and art museums, are invited to submit proposals to host MaxLiteracy in 2023-24 supported by the Max Reinhardt Charitable Trust, which will grant three organisations an Award of up to £7,000 to support a dedicated programme of art-based writing with young people in learning settings. Deadline for applications 30 June. Engage
The Weston Wing, midway through redevelopment. Credit: David Parry/ National Portrait Gallery
The Arts and Humanities Research Council have opened a £6m fund to support the adoption and implementation of creative immersive technologies within the arts and culture sector across the UK. XRtists is looking for a consortium of organisations who can collectively deliver the activities, outputs and outcomes. The consortia must include 5 partners across the UK drawn from all regions. Partnerships can also include commercial or research organisations. The closing date for applications is 13 July. AHRC
The Space has opened their 2023 commissioning round for arts and culture organisations based in England, including museums, libraries, community organisations and local councils with a cultural project to help develop and deliver a creative digital project. Applications of up to £15,000 might be for a video or audio project, or an interactive or immersive experience. Deadline is 29 June. Projects should be published by end of February 2024. The Space
Let’s Get Real (LGR), Culture24’s collaborative action research programme has produced ‘Building a thriving hybrid working environment’ which reflects on the digital transformation the pandemic kick-started. From June 2022 to February 2023 Culture24 supported nine UK cultural organisations to begin a journey of interrogating, understanding and developing their hybrid working practices. The report concludes that poor internal communication, missing staff skills, lack of access to equipment and difficulties in getting buy-in to platforms were issues present before the pandemic and changing working practices in the last few years has exacerbated what were already difficult situations for many. They make 5 recommendations which include –
Building a clear picture of staff digital skills, attitudes and confidence.
Nurturing digital skills-building within your organisation by supporting formal and informal training.
Take time to reflect on your organisational rhythms and cultures. Culture24 (info) Culture24 (report)
2023 Visitor Attractions Website Report Survey open for submissions
Rubber Cheese have opened this year’s survey which aims to help attractions improve their digital infrastructure and enhance the visitor experience, moving from clicks to conversions. The report will include a comprehensive analysis of the latest benchmarks and trends, as well as practical solutions. The survey is open to all marketing professionals, managers and digital professionals in the visitor attraction sector. The survey is available to access until the end of July with the report due in September. Rubber Cheese
Third-floor galleries of 17th- and 18th-century works. Credit: Jim Stephenson
Towards a 'National Collection Conference' Funders Forum discussion
Towards a National Collection is a five-year £18.9m investment in the UK’s museums, archives, libraries and galleries that is exploring steps towards creating a unified virtual national collection by dissolving barriers between different collections. A conference held in April included a panel with representatives from DCMS, ACE, Museums Association, National Lottery Heritage Fund and AHRC where they discussed how an infrastructure for UK digital cultural heritage collections can be shaped and supported. Towards a National Collection (website), Conference (YouTube videos of the conference sessions), Funders Forum (panel discussion, 29.44mins)
Following discussion over displaying the ‘Irish Giant’ at the newly opened Hunterian Museum and the Mütter Museum taking down online content following concerns over displaying human remains, this conference may be of interest. ‘Bodies on display Academic Conference’ is a free online and in-person conference at the University of Glasgow that will be discussing the public display of bodies throughout global history. The conference is on 1 Sept. Eventbrite
The Heritage Crafts Red List, first published in 2017, ranks traditional crafts by the likelihood they would survive to the next generation. The 2023 list produced with the support of the Pilgrim Trust has found the energy crisis and inflation has exacerbated the issues faced by the most at-risk skills. There are 17 additions to the list with five new crafts added to the ‘critically endangered’ category including; straw hat making and encaustic tile making. Since the publication of the 2022 list ‘mouth-blown flat glass’ has become extinct as a craft. Critically endangered crafts have very few practitioners, few (if any) trainees and a lack of viable training routes. Heritage Crafts (news story), Red List
ICON announces first Marsh Awards for Conservation
Three new awards have been announced by ICON in partnership with the Marsh Charitable Trust. The awards aim to ensure the work of conservation professionals is better recognised and more fully respected. The inaugural winners are; Conservation in Action – Mary Evans at the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society, Early Career Conservator – Marina Herriges for embedding environmental sustainability and the Research in Conservation award – Dr David Thickett at English Heritage. ICON
Also: Open storage called into question at Powerhouse Museum in Australia as whistleblower staff claim more exhibitions items damaged or put a risk, Guardian
NEMO publish Guidelines on Developing Education and Public Engagement in Museums
NEMO - The Network of European Museum Organisations, the German Association for Museum Education and the German Museums Association jointly published guidelines to provide for practical approaches and further promote international discussion. Originally published in German in 2020, the English version has been adapted in 2022 with an update of links and literature from an international perspective. NEMO (news article), NEMO (PDF, 92 pages)
Financial pressures and cost-of-living crisis hits external school trips
The Sutton Trust has published a report following the survey of 1,428 teachers taking a closer look at the financial pressures facing schools. 50% report cutting trips and outings compared to 21% last year. Senior leaders in schools with the most disadvantaged intakes were the most likely to report having to cut back on trips and outings, at 68%, in the fifth of schools with the highest proportion of students eligible for free school meals, compared to 44% in the fifth of schools with the least eligible pupils. Sutton Trust
Social Market Foundation tracks cultural participation and social mobility in new briefing
The briefing from the Social Market Foundation maps young people’s participation in cultural activities and the level of deprivation in the area they live which has highlighted a number of areas of concern.
The ‘enrichment gap’ between richer and poorer neighbourhoods seems to have persisted over time, widening for some activities (e.g. museum attendance) and narrowing for others (e.g. library visits)
Children from the least deprived neighbourhoods have a significantly higher level of participation in cultural activities than those from the most deprived communities
Children from the poorest neighbourhoods are nearly twice as likely not to have visited a museum or library in the previous year than those from the least deprived neighbourhoods. SMF
On 22 June 1948, HMT Empire Windrush arrived in Britain. The Windrush 75 Network allows you to share events and aims to broaden public recognition of the impact of the original Windrush Pioneers as well as increasing public understanding of race and migration in Britain. Windrush 75, Windrush 75 (events)Also: Windrush Day toolkit with social media banners. Gov.ukAnd: Projects that received DCMS funding for Windrush Day. Gov.uk
‘Emerging Leaders’, for those with 2-5 years' experience (running in Winter 2023) and ‘Leadership Pulse’, for those with 5+ years' experience (running in 2024) are open for applications. The programmes are for those who want to be the leaders of tomorrow, paving the way for an inclusive and welcoming cultural sector for all. Applications close at 12 noon on 15 June. Clore
Oxford Cultural Leaders (OCL) Residential programme open for applications
OCL residential programme is an immersive six day course designed to be challenging and provocative, developmental and supportive and is aimed at directors, heads of department and senior managers. Delegates are based in Oxford, where they can enjoy the benefits of the central Oxford location and access to the expertise of Oxford University staff, OCL Faculty and the resources of the University's Gardens, Libraries and Museums. Deadline for applications is 3 July and the residential programme runs from 24-29 September. OCL, Brochure
Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy has opened applications for its year-long Professional Fellowship programme. In its tenth year, the programme has offered support, mentoring and training to an alumni of 104 fundraising practitioners in the cultural sector. Thanks to ongoing funding from Arts Council England, for 2023 a further ten mid-career Professional Fundraising Fellows will be recruited from across England. There is a mix of in-person and online events with face-to-face residentials in December 2023 and April 2024. Aimed at arts and culture professionals at a middle stage in their careers. Applications close on 16 June 2023. Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy
Space for Change applications open from A New Direction
The 2023-24 cohort applications are open for cultural sector leaders who are working with children and young people across the creative sector. This year's focus is how to advance your practice and strategic programme building with schools. They are looking to convene a group of cultural sector leaders who want to re-invigorate and strengthen their offer for, and connections with, schools and educational settings. The programme is free and has a mix of in-person and online sessions. The deadline for expressions of interest is 3 July. Space for Change3%C/p>
Culture, Health & Wellbeing Alliance Conference 2023
This year’s CHWA Conference will run from 11-13th Octoberi n Barnsley. It is for people who are interested in creativity/ culture, health and wellbeing and working collectively to bring about social change. Titled ‘Making Change’, the conference will focus on the question: What now? What needs to happen at a personal, organisational, and political level to bring creativity and health together, and to break down the barriers that have separated them? Tickets go live in June.CHWA
The National Portrait Gallery Opens on 22 June. Credit: David Parry
The winners of the 2023 Museums and Heritage Awards were announced on 10 May across 18 categories. The National Museum of the History of Ukraine was presented with a ‘Judges’ Special Recognition Award’ and Kids in Museums won the new ‘Sector Support Award’. Other winners include:
Permanent Exhibition of the Year - The Children's Country House at Sudbury (National Trust). The judges commented that: "the National Trust has moved the sector's dial! It is a participatory and imaginative new bold approach to interpreting historic houses and heritage."
Art Fund Museum of the Year 2023 Shortlist announced
The Art Fund announced the five museums that make up this year's shortlist.
The Burrell Collection, Glasgow
Leighton House, London
The MAC, Belfast
Natural History Museum, London
Scapa Flow Museum, Orkney
It is the 10th year of the prize with the winning museum receiving £120,000, while £15,000 will be given to each of the four other finalists. The judges for this year's prize include; Larry Achiampong, artist; Mary Beard, historian and broadcaster; Abadesi Osunsade, Art Fund Trustee, author and owner of Hustle Crew; Laura Pye, Director, National Museums Liverpool; and Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund. The winner will be announced on 12 July. Art Fund, Museums Association
Thirty-three museums from eighteen Council of Europe member states took part in this 46th annual competition of the European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA) programme. EMYA provides a forum for celebrating the potential of museums to contribute to social transformation and democratization, by adapting and providing valuable responses to the needs and challenges of contemporary society. The main winner was L’Etno, Valencian Museum of Ethnology, opened in 1982 in an abandoned 16th century convent, the museum has been created with the people of Valencia and challenges the complexities of the social, political, religious, and economic realities, with dramatic displays and engaging programmes. The Swiss Museum of Agriculture won the Meyvaert Museum Prize for Sustainability following the opening of an entirely new eco-friendly building in 2021. The Thackray Museum of Medicine in Leeds also received a special commendation, judges praised the museum for creating 'meaningful connections and promoting social inclusion', and for being a 'transformative force for bringing together people of diverse backgrounds’. This follows their £4m redevelopment and reopening in 2021. EMYA, Thackray Museum
Art Explora – Académie des beaux-arts European Award open for applications
Open to all non-profit European cultural organisations, the European Award encourages new forms of audience engagement and participation in arts and culture, supporting innovative projects, across all art forms. Art Explora is particularly seeking projects that can be shared and scaled across Europe, innovating with new engagement and participation, and crossing social, economic and geographic barriers. UK entries are welcome. Winners in 2021 included the V&A and in 2020 the National Gallery. There are three prizes of €50k each and one Audience Choice Award of €10k. The deadline for applications is 11 September. Contact [email protected] with any queries. Art Explora, Art Explora (previous winners and shortlisted projects)
Hunterian Museum, London – Reopened 16 May. ‘Tooths transplants and pickled penises: inside the revamped Hunterian’. Guardian, ‘From eyes to testes, an exemplary, if icky, revamp’. Times. Nature, Art Newspaper(£)
Handel Hendrix House, London – Reopened on 23 May following £3m renovation opening up all of Handel’s house to the public for the first time including the basement and ground floor. Guardian, Museum Association
The Jewish Museum announced the intended closure of their site in Camden in Summer 2023 in order to develop plans for a more sustainable museum in a more prominent location. Opened in 2010 the museum has faced rising costs which have prevented the return of their temporary exhibitions. The museum will continue online and in temporary venues. The museum, awarded NPO status in November 2022 with funding through to 2026, will continue to work closely with ACE and the Heritage Fund on their future plans. Jewish Museum (news story with FAQ), Jewish Museum (press release), Museums Association
May – Istanbul Modern, after 5 years of construction, Turkey’s leading museum of contemporary art opened on 4 May. Artnet, Art Newspaper (£)
June – Galería de las Colecciones Reales (Gallery of the Royal Collections), Madrid, opening 28 June. Overseen by Spain’s national heritage institution, Patrimonio Nacional, it will feature 650 master paintings, tapestries, sculptures, decorative art pieces, armour and furniture collected by Spanish monarchs over five centuries. Guardian, Independent
Dame Caroline Dinenage elected as new Chair of Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee
Caroline Dinenage was formerly Minister of State for DCMS from February 2020 to September 2021. On appointment she said; “I’m delighted to be given the chance to lead the committee in standing up for the culture, media and sport sectors, which are hugely important both economically and for communities across the country. I’m looking forward to getting down to scrutinising the Government to ensure it delivers on everything from gambling regulation and football governance reform through to bolstering support for our world-renowned creative industries.”UK Parliament
Lord Neil Mendoza’s role as Commissioner for Cultural Recovery has been extended by 6 months to support delivery of the Culture Secretary’s priorities. Mendoza was originally appointed to the new role in May 2020. Arts Professional(£)
World Monuments Fund(WMF) Britain appoint new Executive Director
Magnus von Wistinghausen has been appointed to the World Monuments Fund Britain from May 2023. His remit is building key stakeholder relationships and overseeing project identification and delivery. He is a current trustee at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Chair of the Ragged School Museum Trust in London. The WMF is the an independent organisation devoted to safeguarding the world’s most treasured places to enrich people’s lives and build mutual understanding across cultures and communities. WMF
The London Transport Museum has named current Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Director to replace Sam Mullins as Director and CEO. She will take up her new role in August. London Transport Museum
The Whitworth in Manchester has appointed Sook-Kyung Lee as their new director from August 2023. She joins from the Tate Modern where she is Senior Curator of International Art. Whitworth
Also: Sir John Soane’s Museum is seeking a new Director, deadline 15th June. Guardian
Rethinking social prescribing – BBC Radio 4 The Spark, interesting take on a more political and ‘whole person’ approach to social prescribing which recognises it doesn’t work for all sections of society. With Dr Rochelle Burgess, Associate Professor in Global Health at University College London. BBC (27.41mins)
The politics of museum labelling – Discussion on BBC Radio 4 Front Row with critics Louisa Buck, James Marriott and curator, Priya Khanchandani. They mention the Tate Hogarth exhibition. The episode also reviews the new ‘Offbeat Sari’ exhibition at the Design Museum. 16 May, BBC (from 13.26 for labels) (from 1.01mins for Sari exhib)
Vermeer fever: documentary on blockbuster Rijksmuseum show reaches record number of UK Screenings, 2 May 2023, Art Newspaper (£), 30 April 2023, Sunday Times (£)
Why museums are important for telling our stories - Charlotte Higgins' article in The Guardian focuses on the Russian invasion of Ukraine to explore the crucial role museums have in telling stories. The Guardian
Also: Mapping Museums researcher Mark Liebenrood responded to Charlotte Higgins' article in a letter that links the closure of museums in the UK to the period of austerity politics. The Guardian
International News
Centre Pompidou to close for 5 years from 2025 for major refurbishment and expansion. 11 May 2023, ARTNews
German museums’ unexpected new gambit to stop climate activists from attacking their art? Inviting them to drop by, 23 May 2023, ARTNews
Italy announces museum ticket price hike as part of €2bn flood aid package, Art Newspaper(£)
