The Collections Trust is to lead ACE’s new Building Capacity for Museum Security project to promote awareness of good practice in museum security, and help museums build their knowledge and capacity. The project was announced by Arts Council England on 2 October, and is one of 82 initiatives funded by approximately £7 million distributed via its Renaissance Strategic support fund.
It includes a series of six expert seminars presented in Arts Council England Major partner museums across England, along with a wide range of supporting material delivered in hard copy and online. This will include a Museum Security Checklist and resources based on the Collection Trust’s Collections Link website at www.collectionslink.org.uk/securityseminars which will audit, collate and refresh existing published guidance and resources in museum security.
The campaign is aimed at all those responsible for or involved in providing security in medium-size and smaller museums, as well as those in major regional institutions. All face similar challenges, and the seminars and additional materials will be equally relevant and important.
Dates and venues for the six events will be posted to the security seminars section of the Collections Link website with details of the speakers and programme. Full details and online registration for each seminar will also be available.
The Building Capacity for Museum Security project will ensure museums are right up-to-date with good security practice, and will:
- Increase awareness of security as a core element of good Collections Management practice
- Improve capacity and expertise in basic museum security and housekeeping
- Enhance awareness of the Arts Council’s support through the National Security Advisor
- Improve the use of existing public material on the subject
- Establish an online depository of expertise and examples of good practice
“We are pleased to have been given responsibility by Arts Council England for the management of this important project” says Collections Trust’s Development Director John Woolley. “Providing effective security for collections while improving public access is a key objective for museums of all sizes, and the Collections Trust is ideally placed to deliver the Council’s objectives”.
