Museum Accreditation

SPECTRUM Archive

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:27:42 +0100

The Development of SPECTRUM

The SPECTRUM standard has been in constant development by museums worldwide since the 1970s. A History of SPECTRUM provides a summary of milestones in the development and maintenance of the standard.

The current edition of SPECTRUM is SPECTRUM 4.0, published in March 2011.

Previous editions of SPECTRUM

SPECTRUM 3.2

SPECTRUM 3.2 was published 2009, and was replaced by SPECTRUM 4.0 in March 2011.

Download SPECTRUM 3.2

Download SPECTRUM 3.2 as individual pr...

SPECTRUM Local

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:49:39 +0100

SPECTRUM Local is an initiative from the Collections Trust to support the translation and localisation of the SPECTRUM standard, under licence, by museum communities outside the UK.

SPECTRUM Local pages are in production for:

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Accreditation guidance - users and their experiences

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 18:43:54 +0100

This document offers guidance relating to the Accreditation Standard, section three - users and their experiences. This second version of the section three guidance has been published after reviewing comments from museum practitioners collected during 2012. Elements which have been revised are clearly highlighted. The Accreditation Standard itself has not changed.

A print friendly version is available on the Arts Council's website: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/what-we-do/supporting-museums/ac...

Accreditation guidance - collections

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 18:41:27 +0100

This document offers guidance relating to the Accreditation Standard, section two - collections. This second version of the section two guidance has been published after reviewing comments from museum practitioners collected during 2012. Elements which have been revised are clearly highlighted. The Accreditation Standard itself has not changed.

A print friendly version is available on the Arts Council's website: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/what-we-do/supporting-museums/accreditation-scheme/g...

Accreditation guidance - organisational health

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 18:31:01 +0100

This document offers guidance relating to the Accreditation Standard, section one - organisational health. This second version of the section one guidance has been published after reviewing comments from museum practitioners collected during 2012. Elements which have been revised are clearly highlighted. The Accreditation Standard itself has not changed.

A print friendly version is available on the Arts Council's website: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/what-we-do/supporting-museums/accreditatio...

Accreditaiton guidance - introduction

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 18:18:53 +0100

This document offers introductory guidance relating to the Accreditation Standard. This second version of the introductory guidance has been published after reviewing comments from museum practitioners collected during 2012. Elements which have been revised are clearly highlighted. The Accreditation Standard itself has not changed.

This guidance outlines:

- benefits
- scalability
- process
- expectations
- how decisions are made

A print friendly version is available on the Arts Coun...

Policies Template, Accreditation 2011 - Guidance on writing the Documentation, Care and ...

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 11:55:47 +0100

This document provides specific guidance on how to create the three new collections related policies required by the UK Accreditation Standard 2011.

Documentation Policy
Care and Conservation Policy
Access Policy statement

The guidance does not give specific wording but it explains the role and purpose of a policy, and provides section headings with explanations for what should go in each section. These sections and explanations are drawn from the Accreditation guidance and represent th...

Accreditation Resource List

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:16:16 +0100

A list of resources for museums and galleries working towards an application for Accredited status or existing Accredited Museums.

Communicating through Collections

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:00:46 +0100

By Nick Poole, CEO, Collections Trust. 01.02.2012

In August 2011, for 3 days, London was overtaken by a series of spontaneous riots. As disaffected children and young people took to the streets, looting shops and damaging property, the television news sent pictures of burning buildings and angry mobs around the world.

In the aftermath of the riots, people of all ages and faiths came together in angry condemnation of the senselessness of the riots and with a renewed spirit of unity and community...

Accreditation template collections development policy

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:08:12 +0100

This template sets out the principles that will provide the governing bodies and the workforce of museums with a framework for responsible and ethical acquisition and disposal of collections. It provides clear procedures and decision-making processes common to Accredited museums.

Bibliography

Author:	Arts Council England
Publisher:	Arts Council England
Publication date:	16-12-2011

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Museum Mentor handbook

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:46:40 +0100

The Accreditation Scheme sets nationally agreed standards for museums in the UK. The standard supports museums in identifying opportunities for further improvement and development. Accreditation began as the Museum Registration Scheme in 1988, initially with an emphasis on ethical governance and collections management.

Bibliography

Author:	Arts Council England
Publisher:	Arts Council England
Publication date:	16-12-2011

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Accreditation eligibility questionnaire

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:43:06 +0100

A questionnaire is for organisations that wish to apply for Accredited status. Existing participants do not need to complete this form. The specific eligibility criteria are published within the Accreditation Standard (2011).

Bibliography

Author:	Arts Council England
Publisher:	Arts Council England
Publication date:	16-12-2011

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Museums Association Seminar Presentation - Practical support for Accreditation - Susanna ...

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:18:21 +0100

Presentation given by Susanna Hillhouse, Museum Consultant, and Laura Whitton, Partnerships Manager at the Collections Trust, at the MA Conference, October 2011.

Museum Accreditation Case Study: Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:48:37 +0100

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was one of the museums invited to help pilot the 2011 New Museum Accreditation Scheme. In this presentation, Collections Manager Paul Fraser Webb explains how the Trust responded to the challenge, the changes they made, and the resources they found helpful in the process.

Collections Management Framework - Guidance Sheet 1

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:40:09 +0100

This Guidance Sheet supports museums working towards Accreditation 2011. It explains the Collections Management Framework approach to managing collections as set out in the PAS197:2009 Code of Practice for Cultural Collections Management, and explains the link with the Accreditation Standard.

This guidance sheet is number one in a series of three. The other two are titled:
Collections Management : Policies
Collections Management : Planning and Procedures

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Accreditation Scheme for Museums in the UK: Accreditation Standard 2011

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:21:52 +0100

The Accreditation Scheme sets nationally agreed standards for museums in the UK. There are currently just under 1,800 museums participating in the scheme, demonstrating their commitment to managing collections effectively for the enjoyment and benefit of users.

Accreditation enables museums and governing bodies to assess their current performance, and it supports them in planning and developing their services.

The scheme is administered by Arts Council England in partnership with CyMAL: ...

Accreditation Scheme for Museums in the UK: Accreditation Standard (Welsh) 2011

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:20:46 +0100

PAS197:2009 Code of Practice for Cultural Collections Management

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:12:06 +0100

This link takes you to the Bsi Group webpage describing the PAS197 and allowing you to buy a copy.

Collections Management : Policies - Guidance Sheet 2

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:57:40 +0100

This Guidance Sheet supports museums working towards Accreditation 2011. It gives an overview of the role of policies within the PAS197:2009 Code of Practice for Cultural Collections Management, and explains the link with the Accreditation Standard.

This guidance sheet is number two in a series of three. The other two are titled:
Collections Management Framework
Collections Management: Planning and Procedures

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Collections Management Planning and Procedures - Guidance Sheet 3

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:54:14 +0100

This Guidance Sheet supports museums working towards Accreditation 2011. It gives an overview of the role of planning and procedures within the PAS197:2009 Code of Practice for Cultural Collections Management, and the links with Accreditation Standard.

This guidance sheet is number three in a series of three. The other two are titled:
Collections Management Framework
Collections Management: Policies

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Accreditation Guidance: Governance & Constitutional Arrangements

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 13:02:12 +0100

A document providing on the requirements of the Accreditation Standard (2011 edition):

1.2 Acceptable Constitution for the Governing Body: Accredited museums are long-term organisations which exist to benefit the public and safeguard relevant collections. They have an appropriate and acceptable constitution for the governing body.

Bibliography

Author:	Adrian Babbidge
Publisher:	Museums, Libraries & Archives Council
Publication date:	08-08-2011

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SWFED Forward Planning Toolkit

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 11:55:59 +0100

This Forward Planning toolkit from the South West Federation of Museums and Art Galleries has been developed by Vicky Dawson. it provides step-by-step guidance on how to develop a Forward Plan for your museum.

This toolkit may useful if you are applying for Accreditation

Imperial War Museum Loans Out Agreement Form

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:16:10 +0100

The Imperial War Museum's template agreement for loans out.

This sample Loans Out agreement may be useful if you are reviewing your Loans Out policy and procedures for Accreditation. See also SPECTRUM 4.0 Loans Out procedure.

Procedural Manual Template

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:34:30 +0100

A template Documentation Procedural Manual which can be used simply as a guide as to what to include, or can be copied and used as a template.

This template may be useful if you are preparing a documentation procedural manual for Accreditation.

Investing in Volunteers Standard 2010

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 10:43:22 +0100

Investing in Volunteers is the UK quality standard for all organisations which involve volunteers in their work.

This standard may be useful if you are applying for Accreditation and wish to review your volunteer management

Museum Volunteer Management - Good Practice Checklist

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 10:41:27 +0100

A checklist for Good Practice in Volunteer Management by Museums. Produced as part of the Volunteers for Museums project.

This checklist may be helpful if you are applying for Accreditation and need to review your volunteer management

National Museums Liverpool Acquisition & Disposal Policy

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:39:32 +0100

The full Acquisition and Disposal policy of National Museums Liverpool, including the policies and collecting priorities of different NML divisions and departments.

Documentation Planning Pack - Part One

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:19:58 +0100

Designed to help museums design their own documentation plans. Discusses what a plan should contain; refers to SPECTRUM procedures; looks at retrospective documentation and backlogs; priorities, timescales and resources.

This guidance may be useful if you are preparing a documentation plan for Accreditation.

Documentation for Accreditation pack

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:17:49 +0100

Answers basic questions about the documentation elements of the Museum Accreditation scheme and offers guidance about resources needed to bring collection documentation up to standard. It should be used in conjunction with Accreditation resources. Outlines the five-step process and makes ample reference to SPECTRUM.

Bibliography

Author:	Collections Trust
Publisher:	Collections Trust

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Greendale Museum Documentation Plan

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:12:34 +0100

Greendale Museum's Documentation Plan. A plan prepared by the museum as part of its application for accreditation. Part of the Collections Trust Documentation Planning Pack.

This guidance may be useful if you are preparing a documentation plan for Accreditation.

Documentation Planning Pack - Part Two

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:37:39 +0100

Documentation Planning Pack: Accreditation Application form for Greendale Museum, two completed sample forms: 4.3 and 4.4.

This guidance may be useful if you are preparing a documentation plan for Accreditation.

Building Blocks for a Preservation Policy

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:19:32 +0100

A National Preservation Office guide to developing and implementing a preservation policy.

This guidance may be helpful if you are developing a Collections Care and Conservation policy for Accreditation.

Producing a Forward Plan

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:50:54 +0100

Museums & Galleries Commission Guidelines for Good Practice, assisting curators and managers in developing their museum services to a high standard beyond the basic minimum by producing a forward plan.

This guidance was published in 1996 and still contains useful information for museums developing a forward plan. You may find this useful if you are preparing for Accreditation.

Model Acquisition & Disposal Policy

Mon, 23 May 2011 23:00:02 +0100

A template for a museum Acquisition and Disposal Policy, published in 2008 and revised in 2010

Bibliography

Publisher:	Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
Publication date:	23-05-2011

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