Issue - meetings

The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum Forward Plan (2020-2024) outlines the museum’s strategic objectives as required by Arts Council England (ACE) Museum Accreditation.

This Update gives Management Committee Members an understanding of progress to date against these objectives and the planned actions to come.  The Museum has made good progress in some areas such as:

·        driving investment to the conservation of the fabric of the building (MEND) 

·        conservation of items in the collection;

·        improvements to the room displays and interpretation

·        development of popular programming and events.

·        more focussed marketing

However, the review of governance has proven to be complex and challenging. The Update enables Management Committee to review progress and make suggestions for future activities and actions.

The Museum Manager presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum Forward Plan (2020-2024) outlined the museum’s strategic objectives as required by Arts Council England (ACE) Museum Accreditation.

This update gave Management Committee Members an understanding of the progress to date, against these objectives and the planned actions to come.  The Museum had made good progress in some areas such as:

• driving investment to the conservation of the fabric of the building (MEND);
• conservation of items in the collection;
• improvements to the room displays and interpretation;
• development of popular programming and events; and
• more focussed marketing.

However, the review of governance has proven to be complex and challenging. The Update enables the Management Committee to review progress and make suggestions for future activities and actions.

The Committee acknowledged that the Council had agreed the process for externalisation of the Art Gallery and Museum and gave their thanks to the Councillors in support at the meeting of Full Council.  Thanks was also given to the Museum Manager for the work she did in advance of the meeting of Full Council. 

It was suggested that in addition to the short-term projection on the plan, there needed to be a long-term section, covering possibly two to four years ahead.  This would advertise the Museum and would be useful when applying for grants and support.  It was suggested that a forward planning workshop needed to be established and also, consideration be given to what bodies, such as Arts Council SW would want to be considered.

It was further suggested that a bulletin be produced, which would help to keep people up to date with progress. 

RESOLVED that:

The Management Committee:

a)     noted the progress made against the strategic objectives identified in the Forward Plan;

b)    reviewed the future activity planned; and

c)     recommended the following further actions and activities to be undertaken to achieve them:

                    i.           in addition to the short-term projection on the plan, there needed to be a long-term section, covering possibly two to four years ahead; and

                  ii.           a bulletin be produced, which would help to keep people up to date with progress. 

Voting: Unanimous