National Programme Strategy 2011 – 2015

Jilly Burns National Partnerships Manager

1.

WHY WE NEED THIS STRATEGY

As a national museum, we should use our collections to make connections across Scotland and beyond. In addition, we should take into account the need to support the creation of a sustainable future for museums in Scotland which means that their public value as well as their associated collections, skills and knowledge is realised to the fullest extent possible. National Museums Scotland plays a valued role in the museum sector professionally across the UK, and has a key role within the sector in Scotland. In recent years we have begun to offer a formal programme to share collections and expertise more widely with other museums in Scotland under the ‘National Partnerships Strategy 2006-2011’. We now intend to develop those strong foundations through a new strategic programme, designed to derive long-term impact for all and make best use of available resources. This Strategy sets out our National Programme priorities for the next four years. It indicates the services we will offer as standard, highlights areas we intend developing in partnership, and outlines the activities where we will seek new resources to support delivery. Concurrently, the organisation will contribute to the development and implementation of a National Strategy for Scotland’s Museums and will develop its role accordingly. 2.

VISION

The vision for our National Programme is: To be recognised as an organisation that is both innovative and enabling, through provision of programmes that develop access to our collections and expertise across Scotland and beyond, in fresh, relevant and engaging new ways while also growing the potential of our sector by demonstrating the wider public value of museums. We will achieve this through a partnership approach, harnessing new resources and continually challenging ourselves to make the most of every opportunity that comes to light. This vision translates into a set of strategic objectives for the next four years 3.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES FOR NATIONAL PROGRAMME 2011 – 2015

i)

Take the National Collections to the widest audience possible We will capitalise upon the opportunities available to us to expand access to the National Collections. This means a commitment to refresh and expand our loans provision and to harness new investment where we can take the lead on delivery of national touring exhibitions, outreach, learning or digital programmes.

ii)

Ensure sustainable frameworks exist to share and retain sector expertise We will play a role in achieving a sustainable future for sector skills and knowledge. This means continuation of the National Museums Knowledge Exchange programme which delivers basic advice and training on collections matters to museums in Scotland. We also aspire to enhance this by attracting new resources to develop the long-term impact and breadth of our contribution with key stakeholders.

iii)

Be a leading, future-focussed National Museum for our sector We will deliver a clearly understood and productive national role by developing opportunities that provide support and expand potential for the sector as a whole. We will raise our profile through excellence in delivery and achieve our vision through focussing resources on the agreed priorities.

 

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4.

PRINCIPLES

The following guiding principles will be important to delivering this strategy: Collaboration: Sustainability: Respect: Creativity:

ensuring a positive partnership working culture realistic solutions for now and effective solutions for the future everyone plays a valuable role in delivering museum services refreshed perspectives and new ideas drive innovation and success

Our National Programmes work will necessarily be limited by the resources we have available to us. We receive no specific funding from the Scottish Government to undertake this activity. Wherever possible we will seek opportunities to secure funding from a range of sources to support the implementation of this Strategy. 5.

ACTION FRAMEWORK 2011 - 2015

5.1

Take the National Collections to the widest audience possible

Priorities 5.1.1 Ensure maximum impact from our collection loan service. A new loans strategy will implement efficiencies for borrowers and for ourselves, ensure higher profile from loans out, and place greater emphasis on promoting ideas for loans and lending new material in new ways.

Year 2

5.1.2 Be recognised as a provider of a leading loans service at the forefront of establishing innovative approaches to lending. We will maintain our active role in the development of sector policy in this area and will seek project funding to expand this ambition with sector and non-sector partners.

2-3

5.1.3 Harness funding to support the generation of new collaborative touring exhibitions (or related access initiatives) led by National Museums Scotland. Expansion of this activity is funding dependent.

1-2

5.1.4 Utilise opportunities available to widen engagement with collections across Scotland, beyond just the National Museums’ holdings, using partnership working to fulfil both local and national priorities. This will include applications for joint project funding.

1-4

5.2

Ensure sustainable frameworks exist to share and retain sector expertise

Priorities Year 5.2.1 Continue to offer basic advice on collections matters to any Accredited 1-4 museum in Scotland. Ensure this programme is well promoted and accessible via links with key sector agencies and networks. Maintain related support resources, e.g. Advice Policy, Networks, Directory of Expertise. 5.2.2 Provide an annual series of basic collections-based training as part of the Knowledge Exchange Programme that ensures sector needs are met best. This will mix a core workshop programme with a responsive programme of tailored learning opportunities delivered across Scotland and in response to local needs.

 

1-4

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5.2.3 Improve the Knowledge Exchange Programme by placing greater emphasis on retention of its ‘exchanged’ knowledge and skills. We will actively seek development funding here, in particular to explore the use of digital media and research appropriate delivery models.

2-4

5.2.4 Create opportunities to share expertise beyond collections where this can be resourced, usually via funded projects or formal partnerships.

1-4

5.2.5 Deliver the National Fund for Acquisitions through administration of the programme and provision of expert advice.

1-4

5.2.6 Deliver a National Conference(s) on knowledge and skills exchange, developed in partnership with key stakeholders.

2-3

5.3

Be a leading, future-focussed National Museum for our sector

Priorities 5.3.1 Play a leading role in sector development to realise a new Strategy for Scotland’s Museums and ensure synergies with strategic development opportunities across the UK and Internationally.

Year 1-4

5.3.2 Work with key stakeholders to deliver this National Programme, including the other National Collections bodies, Scottish Government, Museums Galleries Scotland, the Museums Association, National Museums Directors Conference, Collections Trust, Historic Scotland, Museum Forums, Groups and Federations, and the Recognised Collections.

1-4

5.3.3 Seek funding opportunities to take the lead (or collaborate) on national projects that can further impact on our ambitions to build a sustainable framework to share and retain expertise and expand access to collections to the widest audience possible.

1-2

5.3.4 Raise the profile of the activities and relationships arising from delivery of the National Programme and the associated International Programme.

1-4

5.3.5 Embed a culture of continual review in the National Programme via regular assessments of impact, quality of service and opportunities to collaborate and further realise the ambitions of this Strategy.

2-4

6.

IMPACT OF THE NATIONAL PROGRAMME STRATEGY

With success, what will look different in four years? 6.1

Access to collections



New loans demonstrate increase of items loaned from material not on display and loans to new partners, sector and non-sector. Recognised as the provider of a leading loans service through demonstration of innovative practice in this field. Increased access to collections via touring programmes (subject to resources). Evidence of collaboration between the National Museums and other organisations to produce high quality national audience engagement programmes.

  

 

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6.2

Sharing expertise



Stakeholder acknowledgment of quality, accessible programmes for sharing collections knowledge and skills offered by National Museums Scotland. Higher profile for our Knowledge Exchange programme evidenced by greater take up of collections advice and responses to requests to run workshops locally. National Museums Scotland has played a key role in the developing support infrastructure to share and retain sector expertise across the UK. New guidance and methodologies exist for collections knowledge and skills exchange. Acquisitions supported by the National Fund for Acquisitions fulfil National Collections development priorities for the sector.

   

6.3

Strategic lead

 

Increased investment in National Museums Scotland to lead projects for the sector. Involvement in delivery of this Strategy evidenced by programmes and partnerships in place across Scotland and beyond. A new framework of strategic partnerships surrounding delivery of this Strategy, which have enhanced its vision and objectives. Reputation gains for National Museums Scotland in Scotland, cross-UK and beyond. Greater evidence of National Museums Scotland’s impact on sector strategic priorities.

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7.

MEASURING IMPACT

Performance measurement will include targets for numbers of individuals and organisations benefitting from the Knowledge Exchange Programme and access to collections activities, and how this is spread across the country. We will also seek to evaluate the quality of this performance by capturing information on the satisfaction and impact of the individual programmes in relation to i) sector skills and knowledge needs, ii) long-term sustainability and iii) fulfilment of priorities for audience engagement. All programmes will include final evaluation and there will be a mid-term review of this Strategy and its performance in 2013. 8.

RESOURCES AND CONTEXT

This Strategy outlines strands of activity that will normally be delivered within current National Partnerships resources or developed with external funding as opportunity allows. We have prescribed the activities where we will actively seek new resources to support delivery, which will otherwise be limited. The National Programme will ensure synergy with other organisational strategies, particularly the Public Programmes Strategy to ensure best use of resources.

 

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9.

COMMUNICATION

This Strategy is administered by the National Partnerships department at National Museums Scotland. Please contact the department via: National Museums Scotland Chambers Street Edinburgh EH1 1JF +44 (0)131 247 4394 [email protected] http://www.nms.ac.uk/connections

 

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