Application Form– Expert Eye #3: Reducing the Risk

This programme aims to improve curatorial knowledge and access to discreet collections in museums across the West Midlands which are at risk of becoming orphaned* due to lack of staff expertise.

West Midlands Museum Development aims to match museums with experts drawn from Subject Specialist Networks to work with museum staff to support specialist collection knowledge, improve documentation and increase access to these collections for visitors.

* The term ‘orphaned collection’ is taken to mean a collection that no longer has specialist curation. This term would accurately apply to a collection for which there is no-one (members of staff or expert volunteers) within the museum who holds specialist knowledge of that collection and is able to properly advise on its care and use.

Project Outline

This project aims to match museums with subject specialists in order to improve knowledge about specific collection areas which are currently underused or under-represented. Experts will work with the museum for an agreed period to identify objects, extend documentation and consider ways to interpret and make the items accessible.

Each museum will receive:

  • The time of asubject specialist who will work directly with museum staff on site to identify objects, update and improve existing documentation and support ideas for the interpretation of the collections

Conditions of Participation

  • Open to Accredited museums or those officially registered as Working Towards Accreditation in the West Midlands region
  • Museums must commit to active participation in the project including time spent with the expert to look at and document the collection.
  • As part of the project museums will be expected to host a sharing day for their staff, volunteers and other appropriate museums or partners in order to disseminate the findings of the Subject Specialist anddevelop ways forward in engaging audiences through interpretation, exhibitions, talks or other events.
  • Provide short project report on completion.

Project Timetable

  • Submission of Application Forms by23 June 2017
  • Successful applicants notified by5 July2017
  • Museums and subject specialists will be matched and a timetable of work will be agreed (including sharing event). Work to be completed by February 2018
  • Conclusion and completion of a short project report byend February2018

Please complete the ApplicationForm below.
Please outline why your museum needs this support. Please include the type of collection you would like an expert to look at and give an indication of the size of the collection. Please include details of why you consider this collection as being at risk of becoming orphaned and why it is a priority for your organisation (max 400 words).

Your details:

Museum:
Name:
Job title:
Email:
Telephone:
I confirm that I will fully participate in the programme and have the permission and support of my senior management team.
Signed: / Date:

Please return the completed Application Form to no later than 5pm Friday 23 June.

Email :

Or post to: West Midland Museum Development, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, Coach Road, Coalbrookdale, Telford,Shropshire TF8 7DQ