In this section you can read our latest news stories about MLA North West and associated projects, and news from the MLA partnership.
Renaissance North West announces small grants scheme for business and sustainability in museums 27 November 2007 A new grants scheme is available through MLA North West for museums in the region. Funded by Renaissance monies, the scheme is an incentive fund to encourage improvements within museums that would provide medium and long term financial viability. Museums can bid up to £2,500 for grants to undertake a variety of activities that will broaden their operation and increase their opportunities of levering in additional income or funding. Examples of activities supported include the following: a strategy or feasibility study for a museum shop, the development of a business plan and the undertaking of an organisational review.
Call for museums to be lead regional employer for apprenticeships 15 November 2007 Museums are being offered the opportunity to act as the lead employer in their region to champion museum involvement in creative apprenticeships.
The Creative & Cultural Skills Creative Apprenticeship Programme, part-funded by the MLA Partnership, will enable people to choose from a number of work based, nationally accredited apprenticeships, including one in Cultural & Heritage Venue Operations.
Winning awards for North West museums 01 November 2007 This week, Manchester Art Gallery’s visitor way finding scheme won a Gold Design Effectiveness Award this week. The project, funded by a Wolfson grant from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport was instrumental in increasing visitor figures by 33% last year. The new scheme was designed by Holmes Wood in consultation with staff and involved revised signage for the interior and exterior of the gallery.
Last month, Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery won the North West Visitor Attraction of the Year at a prestigious event organised by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to recognise excellence within the tourism industry. In addition to receiving a prestigious title and trophy, Tullie House now has the opportunity to represent the North West in the national awards, organised by VisitBritain in April 2008. Earlier this year, the museum and art gallery won Cumbria’s Visitor Attraction of the Year Award.
MLA North West welcomes Lottery boost for North West libraries 30 October 2007 A major £80m investment in public libraries has been welcomed today by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Partnership.
The cash, from the Big Lottery Fund, has been awarded to projects throughout England, almost £12.9 million of which has been awarded to fifteen libraries in the North West.
Cultural frontline funding secured as MLA pledges to sharpen its focus 30 October 2007 Monday's announcement of government's funding settlement targeted at the cultural frontline, with the flagship regional Renaissance programme for museums secured for the next three years, has been welcomed by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.
North West family archive saved for nation 17 October 2007 The Acceptance in Lieu scheme, administered by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), on behalf of the government, allows items deemed to be national treasures to be given to the nation in place of inheritance tax. In the North West, Acceptance of the Archive of the Bromley-Davenport family of Capesthorne Hall, Cheshire, settled £99,342 of tax.
Spending promises welcomed as MLA presses the case for Renaissance 15 October 2007 Roy Clare CBE, Chief Executive of the MLA Partnership, commenting on Tuesday’s Comprehensive Spending Review announcement by the Chancellor, said:
“We welcome the government’s commitment to maintain funding ‘in real terms for arts, museums and galleries’, but we will press the case in the coming days and weeks that this undertaking extends to Renaissance - our successful programme for regional museums.
Lancaster in National victory! 03 October 2007 Get It Loud in Libraries, the groundbreaking project from Lancaster Library has won in the Love Libraries Award 2007, beating off tough competition from four rivals in a public vote.
The Love Libraries Award, run by Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) celebrates the work library services do to inspire teenagers and young people under the age of 25. Lancaster Library is breathing new life into the service, with some of the latest bands performing exclusive gigs in the library and bringing in diverse crowds.
Heritage Lottery Fund and National Heritage Memorial Fund recruiting trustees 27 September 2007 Over the next few months there will be five vacancies arising on the Board of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF). The Board requires a Chair and four new Trustees; all appointments will begin during 2008.
MLA North West announces workforce development programme 26 September 2007 A six month workforce development programme has been announced by MLA North West, which has been devised through brokering relationships with training providers and the sector offering mostly free professional development opportunities to all staff working in museums, libraries and archives in the North West.
