Read the latest report from the South West Renaissance Museums Hub for October 2010

The Concept of New Renaissance Emerges

When it was announced that the Museums Libraries and Archives Council would no longer be in existence by April 2012, the question of support and funding for the sector was a key debate as the summer of 2010 came to an end. This autumn has provided news of the emerging ‘New Renaissance’ model that will be phased in during the transitional year of 2011-2012.

Ed Vaisey announced at the Museums Association Conference on October 5th that while the MLA will be abolished, Government’s clear support for the museums, libraries and archives will continue. However, the future presents a different lanscape of reduced funding and a dismantling of the regional Hubs over time. The new model will create a series of locally funded core museums that will feature outstanding collections and services from strategic funding. It is envisaged that there will be between 8-10 such museums. While the core museums will be seen as setting the pace for transformation they will not have a specific leadership role regionally. But they have been described as being in a position to support the wider sectorand to enter into innovative and capacity building partnerships. There will be a New Renaissance Challenge fund available to museums and cultural services other than core museums. New Renaissance funding would be shaped by national strategies but delivered within the regional and local cultural priorities, co-ordinated in partneship with local funding and other natioinal schemes such as HLF and ACE.

A modest proportion of New Renaisssance funding will be used to support national programmes that benefit and provide infrastructure for front line services. National advocacy campaigns will be included within this as will Accreditatioin, Designation, specialist networks and some specific programmes. The new approach is described as offering an opportunity for national government investment and policies to be shaped to local need and for clarity over the extent of local commitment to museums and cultural services and their importance in place shaping.

At present the Hub museums and the Central Hub have been tasked with the completion of the current Business Plan 2009-11 and the development of new plans for the transitional year based on the new model.

An indication of the future funding shows the how the budget will be apportioned to the designated areas. The exact figures for the funding have yet to be confimred but for the purposes of forward planning it has been advised to calculate the transistional year as a 20% reduction of present allocation.

The Hub partner museums that do not become cores would receive reduced levels of funding in years one and two and by year three would be able to bid for parts of a substantial ‘challenge funding’ pot. Smaller services will benefit from a larger and more co-ordinated network of MDO’s and focused national programmes.

To read Ed Vaisey’s full speech visit: http://www.culture.gov.uk/news/ministers_speeches/7462.aspx

Museum Skills - the Future of Training for the Sector – a survey to make your views known

While localism is presented as the strategic direction for future planning initiatives, certain services are more cost effective and appropriate to be delivered in a regional context. Last year in the south west 30 training courses were delivered to 350 delegates from the sector with a further 9 workshops still to be held by the end of November. Feedback indicates that museums really value this programme therefore it is hoped that it can be continued across the region.

Planning for the future training offer is now underway and it is hoped that there will be sufficient funding for a comprehensive range of courses. Renaissance South West would like your help in shaping our proposals for the coming year which will see the introduction of the new Accreditation standard and a renewed emphasis on sustainability, partnerships and excellence. 
If you wish to support Renaissance South West and the South Western Federation of Museums & Art Galleries in demonstrating the value of the Museum Skills Programme for future funding please take the time to complete a short questionnaire set up on Survey Monkey. 
Please tell us about your staff and volunteer development and the kind of training your museum would find useful by following the link below.  It should take no more than a few minutes of your time.

PLEASE complete the questionnaire by noon on Wednesday 20th October: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WM7GXKF.

If you have any problems completing the survey please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it who will pass your query on to Eleanor Moore (Renaissance South West) or Vicky Dawson (South Western Federation of Museums & Art Galleries).

Sustainability through Strategic Commissioning – Responding to the Health & Wellbeing Agenda

Museums are familiar with the concept of seeking opportunities to capture additional income, yet the reality of delivering contracted services through the strategic commissioning process can be daunting without adequate information and guidance. However, a free training event is available with practical support to guide you through the bigger picture in terms of policy and planning, together with issues of outcome measures and indicators, including Generic Social Outcomes for Inspired Learning.

RESPONDING TO THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING AGENDA, FREE training workshop for volunteers and paid staff.
November 10th 2010
Sonia Rasbery and Jocelyn Goddard will facilitate the day at The Castle Hotel, Taunton
Please e-mail Sophie Ainsworth to confirm your booking This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Renaissance South West Hub Team

Raj Pal - Renaissance Programme Director (Full Time – Hub Central Office)
Strategic Lead for SW Hub Partnership. Oversees governance arrangements. Supports the SW Renaissance Board.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it     Tel: 0117 922 3695

Stella Yates, SW Hub Manager (Full Time –Hub Central Office)
Supports Renaissance SW partnership in advocating, planning and delivering the Renaissance SW programme.  
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it     Tel: 0117 922 4126

Vic Harding, SW Programmes and Projects Manager (Full Time - home based)
Manages key regional Renaissance projects and programmes including MDF and Accreditation.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it    Mobile: 07827 979725

Eleanor Moore, SW Museum Skills Coordinator (Wednesday & Friday - home based)
Coordinates museums workforce development, diversity and Skills including Creative Apprenticeship programme.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it     Tel: 0117 922 4653 (‘phone contact via Sophie Ainsworth)

Hala Osman, Performance & Evaluation Officer (Full Time – Hub Central Office)
Responsible for monitoring, evaluation and reporting on programme delivery.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it    Tel: 0117 922 4995

Sophie Ainsworth, Museum Development Assistant (Full Time – Hub Central Office)
Sophie Ainsworth, Museum Development and Workforce Development
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it    Tel: 0117 922 4653

Further information

For further information please contact us in the Hub office: c/o Bristol City Council, 4th Floor (Bazaar Wing), Brunel House, St George's Road, Bristol, BS1 5UY Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   Tel: 0117 922 4653