ALMA UK: Opportunities and Benefits of International Working
Nick Poole, CEO, Collections Trust20/03/2014
Aims for today
• Introduce the Collections Trust• Review benefits & opportunities of international
work• Explore the role of UK Professional Standards• Identify EC Funding Opportunities• Identify strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threats• Discuss the role of National Agencies• Answer your questions!• Benefit from your ideas
Collections Trust
UK & international professional association for people working with Collections & Technology
Key strategic aims:
•Develop the Collections workforce•Advocate the value of good Collections Management•Build Digital Capacity•Connect the public with Collections•Deliver an excellent organisation
International Strategy
Established in 2008, our International Strategy is to:
•Import knowledge, expertise and professional practice from overseas & share it with the UK community
•Export UK knowledge & expertise to other countries
•Develop international partnerships & seek opportunities for international investment/projects
International highlights
Network of 23,000 museums, libraries, archives & hybrid organisations using the UK SPECTRUM standard
EUR20m in successful European Commission projects since 2007
Commercial partnerships with 14 overseas/international companies
Chair of the Europeana Network, 900 Creative & Cultural Industry Partners across Europe
International partnerships
Smithsonian Institution, USASouth African Heritage Resources Agency, South AfricaFinnish Heritage Association, FinlandSwedish Heritage Board, SwedenNorwegian Arts Council, NorwayPinacoteca do Estado & SESC, Sao Paolo, BrazilGerman Museums Association, GermanyRijksdiesnt Cultureel Erfgoed, Amersfoort, NetherlandsMinistere de la Culture et Communication, France
UK culture worldwide
The UK is a leading force in the international professional community. We are a net exporter of value, knowledge and expertise.
Agencies and institutions worldwide look to our standards and best practices to develop their own cultural infrastructure.
However, working internationally still represents a significant investment risk for most UK cultural heritage institutions.
UK cultural exports
• Professional standards• Collections & collections-related knowledge• Digital cultural content• Creative ideas• Exhibitions• Technical expertise• Skilled people
Professional standards
• The UK Museum Accreditation Scheme is used as a baseline by the international community
• SPECTRUM is recognised as the de facto industry standard for Collections Management
• The Government Indemnity Scheme guidelines (along with the AAM Environmental Standard) define loans & environmental practice worldwide
• UK expertise is regularly sought for participation in ISO/CEN/Euronorm standards development
EC Funding 2008-14
• Creative Europe programme has funded EURm in cultural exchange/exhibitions
• ICT Policy Support Programme has invested EUR11m in 19 UK organisations since 2011
• “What the EC can’t legislate for, it funds...”
• A strong focus on promoting European/Enlightenment values, economic growth and soft diplomacy
EC Funding 2014-2020
• Horizon 2020 is an EUR80bn 6-year funding programme
• Focussed on smart, sustainable growth by connecting culture, SME, innovation & academia
• Opportunities in 2014 limited, but become significant in 2015
• JPI Cultural Heritage funding large-scale cultural heritage research & innovation
SWOT
Strengths
•Language•Quality of collections & stewardship•Established sector standards•Leading global cultural brands•Leading Museum Studies courses•Early-adopter advantage w technology
Weaknesses
•Lack of Government support•Insularity•Highly diversified sector•Complex labour/immigration laws•Lack of visa exemptions•Lack of financial support to mitigate investment risk
Opportunities
•New collaborative partnerships•Driving inward investment & tourism•Importing professional expertise•Exporting unused capacity•Opening up new knowledge about collections
Threats
•Under-investment in professional standards undermines leadership•Too many small players invest without a clear ROI•Austerity leads to ‘batten down the hatches’ mentality
Benefits of international work
• New perspectives & energy• Valuing a currently under-valued asset• Continuing Professional Development• New insights into Collections• New investment/funding opportunities• New revenue streams• Audience development• PR value with stakeholders
The role of National Agencies
• Identify ‘International’ as an opportunity
• Combat the Small Island(s) mentality
• Provide strategic & financial support to underwrite the risk of international engagement
• Long-term developmental support, not short-term engagement support
• Engage with British Council, UKTI & BIS to open up advocacy & opportunities
Come to OpenCulture 2014!
400 international delegates from 20+ countries discussing partnership opportunities
25-26 June 2014, Kia Oval, London
www.collectionslink.org.uk/openculture2014
Contact
Nick PooleChief [email protected]@NickPoole1 www.collectionslink.org.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)207 942 6080