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Museums Galleries Scotland create new jobs with HLF investment
Museums Galleries Scotland, the organisation representing over 350 museums and galleries, will deliver an Interns Programme that will see the creation of 20 placements across the length and breadth of Scotland. The programme will be funded by Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), who today announced their award of £413,800.
Museums Galleries Scotland, which is responsible for strategic development of Scotland’s museums and galleries, created the programme to help the industry cope with issues facing the sector in the coming years. Skills and knowledge, essential for museums and galleries to be managed successfully, such as looking after collections and delivering activities to visitors, are central to the organisation’s Interns Programme.
Joanne Orr, Chief Executive of Museums Galleries Scotland said:
“We are delighted to deliver this Intern Programme. We have been focussing on workforce development for some time – but this grant award means real progress can be made. Research, including The Tomorrow People report (MA/University of Anglia), suggests learning can be best achieved on the job, in the workplace. We are extremely grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for this investment into Scotland’s museums and galleries sector.”
Jane Robinson, Head of Museum Development at Museums Galleries Scotland said:
“Scotland, with such a wide geographical spread and high proportion of rural areas is particularly apt for this type of learning. For young people coming into the sector, fresh out from school or university, it can be especially hard to get up the first rung of the ladder of experience. This programme will provide a valuable opportunity to gain experience and knowledge in the workplace.”
The Museums Galleries Scotland Interns will be hosted by the organisation’s member museums. Enthusiasm has already been expressed by several museums who have indicated interest in taking part as potential hosts.
Peter Stott, Principal Officer Heritage and Learning at Falkirk Council said: “This is really exciting for the museums sector. It means we will see new, young, fresh ideas coming into the museums sector and, in exchange, experienced, long-time museums professionals can pass the baton of knowledge on. The flexibility and the way the programme has been devised will make it easy for organisations to take part. This type of programme is essential for the sustainability of our sector.”Museums Galleries Scotland will now be working up detailed plans for the programme towards having internships in place in the autumn of 2011.
If anyone is interested in getting involved in the Museums Galleries Scotland Interns Programme, they should contact janer@museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk
Notes for Editors:
• Museums Galleries Scotland represent over 350 museums and galleries across Scotland. The sector that welcomes over 25 million visitors and drives over £800 million to the economy.
• As the strategic development agency for the sector, Museums Galleries Scotland will seek to work alongside other successful HLF partners in the industry to benchmark, exchange knowledge and create new professional networks.
• Museums Galleries Scotland will be developing the project schedule for the Interns Programme between now and October when the detailed plans will be submitted to HLF for final approval.
• Internships will be for one year. The programme includes training days and mentoring opportunities to further support the interns’ learning and there will be support for those managing them too.
• Skills for the Future
The Heritage Lottery Fund’s Skills for the Future programme is supporting heritage organisations across the UK to create new training places. Grants range from £100,000 to £1million for a number of traineeships with an emphasis on high-quality work-based training. The programme will help equip organisations to engage with the widest possible range of people and inspire them to get involved with heritage.
• Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 33,900 projects, allocating £4.4billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk. For more information please contact Katie Owen, HLF press office, on tel: 020 7591 6036/07973 613820.
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Published
8th Jun 2010
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