Training programmes
We provide funded places for London museums on a range of practical workshops and training events. These courses provide opportunities to find out about best practice and hear case studies of how others have made improvements at their museums.
You can find details of our upcoming training events below.
All paid and unpaid staff working for non-National (and non-NPO), Accredited museums in the London region are eligible to apply for places. Non-accredited, national, NPO and museums outside London may be allocated places if there is space, but will be a lower priority due to our core funding criteria.
You will be able to find our upcoming training sessions below and advertised in our regular EUpdate (see our News page). Any last minute changes to our events will be announced by email or on our X account.
You can find recordings of some past sessions on our YouTube channel.
Training sessions 2024–25
Roots & Branches Programme 2024 - 2026: 'Museums taking action against climate change'
The award winning Roots
& Branches, environmentally-driven collaborative project between Museum
Development England (MDE), The Carbon Literacy Project and Manchester
Museum has launched a new programme for the next two years, running from
June 2024 until March 2026.
The Roots & Branches online programme (click on the link for national details and next to the session titles) includes:
- Carbon Literacy courses: Information and booking links
- Trainer Support Sessions: Information and booking links
- Seeds for Action Connect & Co-Work sessions: Information and booking links
- Seeds for Action In Focus sessions: Information and booking links
- Seeds for Action Case Studies
If you have any questions about the programme please contact Alison Criddle at MD North or the MD London team here
An Introduction to Caring for Archaeological Collections
Thurs 18 July, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
ONLINE
Delivered in partnership with MD South East
Trainer: Charlotte Tomlin, Senior Preventive and Filming Conservator, Spencer & Fry
Special care needs for archaeological collections will be discussed alongside recommended handling, labelling and storage methods for different archaeological materials, with focus on metal & stone.
Suitable if: no or little prior knowledge in museums and heritage sites or need a refresher. Places for museums in London as well as SE.
Details: see Eventbrite here
Getting Your House In Order: Object Entry (in Spectrum 5.1)
Thurs 1 Aug 2024, 10:00 am – 12:00
ONLINE
Delivered in partnership with MD South East
Trainer: Anna Rhodes, Outreach Officer at Collections Trust
This procedure includes logging all objects coming into your care for whatever reason, including loans, enquiries and potential acquisitions. We will look at how to complete an Entry Form and how to assess and mitigate risks involved with objects coming into your museum.
Suitable for: Staff, volunteers & Trustees working in a museum in London, as well as SE region.
Tickets: see Eventbrite here
Getting Your House In Order: Acquisition and Accessioning
Tues 17 Sept, 10:00 am – 12:00
ONLINE
Delivered in partnership with MD South East
Trainer: Anna Rhodes, Outreach Officer at Collections Trust
Focus on Spectrum 5.1 procedure, Acquisition and accessioning. This is the process of taking legal ownership of objects, especially (but not always) to add to your long-term collection, a formal Long-term commitment by your governing body to care for objects. Topics: due diligence, ethics, policy driven decision-making, & recording written evidence of transfer of title. Session concentrates on upcoming acquisitions and will not cover resolving historic issues. Questions & peer learning.
Details: to book see Eventbrite here
How to Develop a Marketing Plan
Wed 25 Sept, 10:00 - 12:30 pm
ONLINE
Delivered in partnership with MD South East
Trainer: Christina Lister, from Christina Lister Comms. & author of ‘Marketing Strategy for Museums’
One of a suite of marketing training specifically targeting smaller museums to optimise their marketing potential, including digital marketing. This will help participants to develop a more strategic approach to marketing which supports the museums’ mission and goals. The session will talk through the 5 steps, and content will include understanding your audiences, segmentation, choosing marketing and communication platforms/channels, with interactivity, resources & tips and break-out groups. We would suggest that you also join the companion training: ‘Marketing on Tight Budgets’, with Christina on 16th Oct, and ‘Digital Marketing’ with DCN (Digital Culture Network) in Nov.
Suitable for: beginners/ intermediate in smaller volunteer run or independent museums
Booking: see Eventbrite here
Meet the Funder: National Lottery Heritage Fund
Fri 27 Sept, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
ONLINE
Delivered in partnership with MD South East
Facilitators: Rachel Macfarlane, Midlands & East, and Judith Carruthers, London & South, National Lottery Heritage Fund
The session will explore the National Lottery Heritage Fund grants from £10,000 through to £10 million. We will discuss:
- NLHF Strategy ‘Heritage 2033’, including the new Investment Principles
- How to develop and submit an application
- Tips for and types of successful applications
- Discussion of your own planned bid
- Time for questions
Suitable for: Anyone seeking to source funding for a project with a clear heritage focus, such as your collections, building or your organisation itself. NOTE: places have been allocated for London museums.
Details: see Eventbrite link here
Marketing on tight budgets
Wed 16 Oct, 10:00 - 12:00
ONLINE
Delivered in partnership with MD South East
Trainer: Christina Lister, from Christina Lister Comms. & author of ‘Marketing Strategy for Museums’
One of a suite of marketing training specifically targeting smaller museums to optimise their marketing potential, including digital marketing with limited marketing budgets & time and in a cost of living crisis. It will share a range of examples and practical tips on how to evaluate marketing to optimise activity, with interactivity and break-out groups. See also training on ‘How to Write a Marketing Plan’, with Christina & ‘Digital Marketing’ with DCN (Digital Culture Network) in November.
Suitable for: beginners/ intermediate in smaller volunteer run or independent museums
Booking: see Eventbrite here