An Introduction to Oral History

This self-contained day course, organised jointly by National Life Stories at the British Library and the Oral History Society, is an informal and practical introduction to oral history interviewing with an opportunity to handle recording equipment and discuss some of the issues around oral history, life stories and memory.

Training day programme

• What is oral history? Understanding memory
• Getting started: Aims and objectives, who to interview, question approaches
• Choosing your recording equipment
• The interview: dos and don’ts, practice interview
• After the interview: Summarising, transcription, copyright, archiving

No previous experience of oral history is required.  To book your place visit the OHS website.

5 March – An Introduction to Oral History
10am-5.30pm Black Country Living Museum, Tipton Road, Dudley DY1 4SQ

Heritage Day

Join Peter Ainsworth, Chair of The Heritage Alliance and Sir Tim Laurence, Chair of English Heritage

This popular event offers delegates the chance to meet a wide range of colleagues from across the sector and hear eminent speakers address the latest issues affecting the future of our heritage.

For more information and to book click here.

26 February 2020 – Heritage Day
Tower of London, EC3N 4AB

Empower Your Collections: Creating Dynamic and Relevant Museums

A one day Museums Association conference.  Following the publication of the Museums Association’s Empowering Collections report, this conference offers you the chance to take part in in-depth discussions about how to take forward its recommendations and use your collections in exciting, engaging and socially impactful ways.

The day shares examples of empowering, relevant and dynamic collections practice – from contemporary collecting, digital engagement and disposal to co-production and decolonisation.

You will get the chance to hear from people who are working to change the collections culture in their museums, take part in table and group discussions, and reflect on your own collections practice.

For more information and to book click here.

3 February 2020 – Empower Your Collections: Creating Dynamic and Relevant Museums
Nottingham

Reap the Rewards: Benefiting from Rural Networks – West Midlands

Do you want to feel more confident about using your rural collection in a greater range of stories and activities, creating a better visitor experience?  Do you want to develop better awareness of routes available to access information, advice or help about rural collection issues?

If you are a non-specialist working with, or looking after, rural and agricultural collections in any role, the Rural Museums Network (RMN), a Specialist Subject Network, has created a practical knowledge-development seminar specifically for you.

Be inspired and acquire practical experience from host museums across the regions on a variety of projects related to using rural collections to create better experiences for visitors, and sustainable organisations.

The West Midlands seminar is part of a nationwide programme, and delegates are free to book whichever event suits them best.

To book the West Midlands event click here.  To learn more about the other events and the benefits of the programme click here.

22 October – Reap the Rewards: Benefiting from Rural Networks – West Midlands
Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings, Stoke Heath Worcestershire B60 4JR

Awards ceremony countdown is on!

With just weeks to go before we host the West Midlands Volunteer Awards we are putting the final touches to plans for the glittering celebration.

Representatives and volunteers from museums across the West Midlands will attend the ceremony, which is being held in Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Centre, on Wednesday, September 11th, from 4pm – 8pm.

Our awards, now in their fourth year, have become a key fixture in the volunteer calendar and we are very much looking forward to welcoming all of our 2019 finalists.

The awards were launched in 2016 to recognise the critical role volunteers play in keeping museums running throughout the West Midlands. Since then, more than 400 guests have attended the annual ceremonies and from 90 nominated finalists, 28 individuals and groups have been chosen as overall winners.

Nominations were welcomed from across the region and the scale and quality of entries has been fantastic.

The judges will decide winners in four categories – individual, group, young person (25 and under), and project. And the winner of the prestigious Judge’s Award for Excellence, chosen from finalists in all four categories, will also receive £500 to spend on the museum, heritage site, or art gallery project of their choice.

Guests will be treated to an evening of entertainment that is sure to make it an unforgettable event. In previous years we have invited travelling musicians, hip hop crews, and opera improvisation troupes to take to the stage and keep attendees happy.

We’re not giving anything away just yet but we guarantee an evening unlike any other.

You can see our 2019 finalists here: https://mdwm.org.uk/news/volunteer-awards-finalists-announced/

We look forward to meeting our wonderful finalists soon.

Bright Ideas: New Perspectives on Museum Lighting  

What are the latest innovations and trends in lighting? And how can museums use lighting to maximum effect as part of their exhibition design?

This one day Museums Association conference will explore the current opportunities that lighting innovation offers, examining the benefits as well as the challenges.

Lighting designers will share some of the most recent and exciting technological developments, and explain how these might be used in museums to create atmosphere and show off objects without compromising conservation and environmental standards.

There will also be a range of case studies delivered by a range of museums with different budgets, sharing how they are using lighting in their exhibition design.

Delegates will have the opportunity to talk to designers over an extended lunch period, visit tabletop stands and enjoy specially commissioned demos.

If you work in displays, exhibitions, conservation, design and interpretation, this seminar brings you up to date with innovations in museum lighting.

Click here for more information and to book.

11 September 9.30am-4.30pm

Science and Industry Museum, Manchester M3 4FP