Museum Development Midlands’ (MDM) mission is ‘To empower Midlands museums to thrive’. To meet this mission, we provide development programmes for paid employees, volunteers and trustees within Midlands museums to embed best practice and implement long term change.
MDM is currently running the following programmes:
Sense of Place: Expressions of Interest closed, programme underway
The Sense of Place programme will focus on how museums can form a crucial part of a place’s identity and wellbeing, and how creative practice can support audiences to enhance their sense of wellbeing by focusing on the community they are part of.
Green Narratives: Closed, programme underway
The Green Narratives programme will increase museums’ knowledge, confidence and practice in re-interpreting collections, telling new stories and engaging visitors around Environmental Responsibility.
Stronger Museums: Expression of Interest and 1:1 surgeries open
The Stronger Museum programme (formerly Organisational Health programme) supports museums to operate more effectively, increasing their long-term viability and relevance.
Hidden Narratives: Expression of Interest open, deadline 5pm, Friday 18 July
The Hidden Narratives cohort programme will focus on uncovering and interpreting hidden or sensitive stories held within museum collections. It will support museums to bring these stories to light for the benefit of their local communities and visitors.
Open to All: Accessibility Audit: Expression of Interest open, deadline 10am, Wednesday 30 July
The ‘Open to All: Accessibility Audit’ programme supports museums to develop effective Access Plans. MDM is offering opportunities for museums to receive accessibility audits and training to improve access for visitors.
Inclusive Museums: Closed, programme underway
MDM is offering a small cohort of six museums the opportunity to access specialist expertise and support to embed equity, diversity and inclusion within their organisation’s Strategy and Forward Plan.
Volunteer Models Programme: Closed, programme underway
MDM is offering a small cohort of six museums the opportunity to develop and implement Volunteer Action Plans through cohort training, peer networking and 1:1 mentoring.
Further programmes to be announced in due course.
Museum Development England (MDE) is running the following programme for 2024-2026:
Roots and Branches: Open for bookings
Roots & Branches is an award-winning, environmentally-driven collaborative project between MDE, The Carbon Literacy Project and Manchester Museum. The Programme will help to shape an environmentally aware and active sector, giving museums the tools to respond to ‘Let’s Create’, Art Council England’s 10-year strategy in which environmental responsibility is at the core.
Eligibility for all programmes:
Our programmes are open to Accredited museums or museums Working Towards Accreditation in the Midlands. Priority will be given to non-NPO and non-National museums who are Accredited or Working Towards Accreditation.
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