University Museums in Scotland
Minutes of a Meeting at 11.00am on 25th May 2010 in Room G2 in the Tower Building, University of Dundee

1. Present / apologies
Present: Neil Curtis (University of Aberdeen), Ann Jones (Heriot-Watt University), Alan Knox (University of Aberdeen, chair), Matthew Jarron (University of Dundee), Jacky MacBeath (University of Edinburgh), Mungo Campbell (University of Glasgow), Peter Trowles (Glasgow School of Art), Chris Henry (Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh), Malcolm McCallum (Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh - Scotland & Medicine Partnership)
In attendance for item 12: Judith Henderson (Scottish Funding Council), Fiona Bates (Scottish Funding Council)
Apologies: Helen Rawson (University of St Andrews), Jane Kidd (Robert Gordon University), Jane Cameron (University of Stirling), Jane Robinson (Museums Galleries Scotland), Rachel Bhandari (Museums Galleries Scotland)

2. Minutes of meeting on 18th November 2009
The minutes of the committee meeting and AGM on 18th November 2009 were approved.

3. Matters arising
There were no matters arising not otherwise discussed

4. Treasurer's report
The account transfer from Ewen Smith was in progress, including changing signatories. The current balance is £5053.87. Membership renewals would be going out imminently.

5. SFC SPIRIT funded project 'Revealing the Hidden Collections'
The project was entering its final stages, content creation having progressed well. There were a number of IT issues, notably OAI harvesting of data was proving more problematic. The budget was under control, with an underspend projected which could be used to support the IT issues.
At the last Project Board meeting David Lott had noted that SFC were pleased with the progress of the project and had been interested in the institutional structural issues that had emerged.

6. Website
Matthew asked for more information for the website, There were discussions ongoing about the hosting of the Revealing the Hidden Collections website.

7. UMIS conference
Stirling had reiterated their interest in holding the conference on a theme of 'Museum Architecture' if support was available (perhaps with MGS grant aid) and with a preference for February.
UMG was to hold a seminar on sustainability which would be a significantly overlapping theme.
It was agreed to hold the conference in February and to apply for a MGS grant, with UMIS providing the required additional funding to enable Stirling to have the capacity to organise it. The theme would be 'architecture' though with the details depending on the UMG seminar. Small-scale renovations and the use of non-museum buildings, rather than major developments, were highlighted as an important theme.
ACTION: Alan to discuss theme with UMG

8. Museums Summit
Ewen Smith had reported that three groups had been established: one considering the best way of making the case for museums, one considering the best structure for museums in Scotland (including the roles of NMS and MGS, funding structures and the roles of Recognised and Accredited collections) and one considering the future of industrial museums. He urged UMIS members to contribute by emailing thoughts to museumsthinktank@scotland.gsi.gov.uk. It is currently intended that a draft report would be considered at a meeting on 24th June.
Jacky reported that MGS was not contributing directly to the Museums Think Tank and that there had been a disappointing lack of involvement by museums and that there had been a focus on discussion of the industrial museums.
It was agreed to send a short UMIS submission.
ACTION: Neil to send draft to members before submitting

9. Partnerships
a. Scotland & Medicine
Malcolm reported on the next aspect of the project, with funding continuing to 2013 enabling a focus on sports medicine 'The Human Race' in 2012 as part of the Cultural Olympiad, with exhibition venues including non-museum venues. Imaging technology as well as objects were being investigated.
b. UMG
Alan reported on the UMG summer seminar on buildings and sustainability, including changes in V&A standards for environmental controls for loans in recognition of lessening the environmental impact of museums.
c. Museums Galleries Scotland
Jacky reported as university museums representative to the MGS Board. The last Board meeting had considered and approved grant aid and a consultant had been appointed to evaulate the impact of the scheme. It was noted that, apart from the Recognition fund, other funds were currently less competitive. MGS and Culture Sport Glasgow were considering a partnership agreement.
The outcome of the consideration of changes to Accreditation and QIS was unclear.

10. AOB
Alan reported on the AHRC-funded study of measuring the outcomes and impact of cultural activity of higher education institutions led by Lesley Richmond of the University of Glasgow. A report had been produced following meeting. There will be further workshops.
Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh had had similar difficulties with MGS three-year grant awards not providing an adequate guarantee for university finance procedures to enable the appointment of staff on open-ended contacts.
Peter noted that the Royal College of Physicians of Glasgow were applying for Accreditation and might be possible UMIS members.
Neil agreed to report on the Museums and Restitution conference (July, Manchester). It was agreed that we would discuss the implications of 'restitution' and 'repatriation'.

11. Date of next meetings
Dates would be circulated, particularly to discuss the conference. Meetings could be held using Adobe Connect

12. SFC funding review
SFC is planning to make a decision on future funding arrangements (initially for the second half of 2010-11) in November.
This was taking place as part of a review of the Horizon Fund, with discussions about whether support for heritage collections was an appropriate aim for SFC. The focus would be on identifying the outcomes of funding, recognising the difficulties of measuring outcomes and impact.
The values of the SFC reporting structure were highlighted as non-bureaucratic and sensible. There was a suggestion that institutions might be asked to report on the institutional financial commitment to the museums funded. A shift from discussing activities towards discussing outcomes was likely.
The contribution to public engagement activities of higher education institutions was highlighted, alongside teaching and research.
The existing approach recognised the long-term 'burden' of maintaining collections as well as ongoing activities, which differentiated museums from other cultural institutions. Funding through SFC also highlighted the value of collections to higher education, including their value for teaching and research. The SPIRIT-funded project had also demonstrated the direct and indirect value of even small-scale additional project funding.
It was agreed that museums would provide more information on the museum operating budgets, staff budgets and estates costs etc. and about how the institutions structure their management of museums and collections. Judith also offered to discuss reporting approaches further. There was no likelihood of additional funding or for additional institutions to receive funding, though it was currently considered to be appropriate for SFC to administer this funding.

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