Setting up a new museum

These interactive, online workshops will be led by Emma Chaplin and Heather Lomas, authors of AIM’s popular ‘Setting up a new museum’ success guide.

The workshops will provide all you need to know if you are considering setting up a new museum.  Following museum sector standards and best practice, alongside AIM’s Hallmarks of Prospering Museums, participants will be guided through the building blocks that underpin the success of a new museum project.

Workshop 1 on Wednesday 7 September and workshop 2 on Wednesday 14 September.

What can participants expect?

  • Discussion of all aspects of running a museum, from museum management and governance to collections, purpose, visitor focus and leadership to finance.
  • How to use best practice standards to plan your new museum.
  • An understanding of the world that museums operate in, its lead organisations and sources of support.
  • A guide to funding opportunities that are available to new museums
  • An opportunity to discuss your own museum projects and get expert feedback
  • Learning alongside a peer group with similar ambitions and challenges

Workshop 1: 4pm – 6pm Wednesday 7 September

Workshop 2: 4pm – 6pm Wednesday 14 September

Cost: £150 for AIM members for both sessions, £200 for non-members.

Book your place on Eventbrite via the link below, joining instructions for the online workshops will be emailed to participants nearer the time.

Click here to book your place>>

AIM members can apply for an AIM training grant to cover the cost of attending this training session. Click here to find out more about training grants>>

Emma Chaplin is a highly experienced and respected museum professional, having led the Association of Independent Museums from 2018-21 and developed a successful consultancy business from 2009-18, building on senior management and curatorial roles in independent and local authority museums. Her work is characterised by her energy, professionalism and deep knowledge of the museum and heritage sector and its networks. She has relaunched her consultancy business and is currently working with clients on collections management challenges, funding applications and business development work whilst also working with Museum Development North West as the Accreditation Scheme Advisor for the region’s museums. www.emmachaplin.co.uk

Heather Lomas is a cultural heritage consultant, she specialises in supporting museums and heritage organisations with their development, including organisational change, good governance, management and development of collections, project management, volunteer development, consultation and facilitation.

Heather is an AIM Prospering Boards consultant and has provided recent workshops for AIM focussed on business planning and succession planning for trustees.

She provides advice as part of the Arts Council Museum Accreditation Scheme for Museums Development in the East Midlands and the North East and she is also a consultant for the National Lottery Heritage Fund providing monitor and mentor support and expert advice, particularly around business/organisational development and grant monitoring. www.heatherlomas.co.uk