The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “K”) provides Members with an update on the Briefing Note sent to the Committee on 9^th January 2020 and reports progress within the District’s Museums and Galleries Service, future plans, regional context, current challenges and opportunities and an update on the transformation work undertaken since the last report.

Recommended –

1.    That the Regeneration and Environment Committee consider the content of this report and the positive work that is taking place in the Museum and Galleries Service.

2.    Endorse the direction of travel and the proposal to bid for National Portfolio Organisation status from February 2022, as well as noting the importance of the Museums and Galleries Service in the City of Culture 2025 Bid. The Committee’s views are sought on the challenges and opportunities facing the Service.

(Rosie Crook – 07815 681807)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “K”) was submitted to provide an update on the Briefing Note that was sent to the Committee on 9 January 2020.  The report contained details of progress within the District’s Museums and Galleries Service, included future plans, the regional context, challenges and opportunities as well as updating Members on the transformation work undertaken since the previous report.

Officers provided details of activities undertaken during the COVID pandemic and how it had addressed the limitations by increasing and developing digital interaction.  A recent funding grant had been awarded in the summer of 2021 and allowed the service to deliver on marketing reviews, to create a model of Covid safe events, improvements in facilities, training needs analysis, assist in the project to create a young, more diverse volunteer pool, digital plans for branding and a website as well as creating additional café space for Covid compliance and a new community space at the Bradford Industrial Museum.

Further funding bids were still in the pipeline at the time of writing the report including for NPO from the Arts Council which had national quality standards and prestige but was difficult to obtain.

Activities reported on also included the re-opening of 3 out of 4 museum venues in the District in the summer of 2020 which compared favourably in comparison with the district’s closest neighbours and was well received.  A wide range of community engagement activities were also undertaken to create exhibitions and collaborations with Mind the Gap theatre and Keighley Pride which it was hoped would create possibilities for communities to tell their stories in the District’s Museums and Galleries providing a new direction for the service.

Digital content had also been developed during 2021 with 21 new online exhibitions. Social media, Visit Bradford and the website provided a platform to feature exhibitions, collections, events and family activities alongside other new digital content.

The report also provided details of engagement with schools and families during the lockdown and restrictions with a featured ‘Just for Schools’ day on Tuesdays with a very popular, blended learning offer.

Members were then given the opportunity make comments or ask questions, the details of which, and the responses given, are as below:

There were clusters of ethnic minority communities in Bradford West and it was very important that the whole District was aware of its history, what engagement was being done with hard to reach groups?

Officers advised that there was a range of community projects such as listening to stories, providing comfortable environments, using local volunteers and members of communities who worked in the museums service who were from more diverse backgrounds, and invitations to Young Ambassadors being made.   There was a photographic exhibition (Belle Vue collection) which reflected diversity and more diverse art collections and artists would be featured.  The ‘Island to Island’ community project had a Caribbean focus with members of the community sharing their stories amongst different generations.  Activities were also set up using gazebos outside of museums as a more subtle approach to museum visiting alongside numerous community displays across the service.  There was also an aim for those who worked in museums to be from a wider range of backgrounds so that visitors would be more comfortable speaking to them.  Subject to government funding, young people would work across the service as part of the ‘Kickstarter’ initiative.

Officers were asked if they were confident that they would meet the criteria for NPO funding and were advised that the service was in a much better position than before the pandemic.  The Arts Council was interested in change and quality with a focus on BAME and children being a major focus.  The pandemic had helped with the preparation process for bidding and, provided the bid was of good quality the District was in a good position to be successful.

Members also noted a comment relating to budget cuts and asked if the savings targets for 2021/22 were likely to be achieved.  Officers stated that, generally, the service was still operating at 30-50% but they were trying to build their way back.  It was anticipated that it would take 12-18 months to be fully operational and then to grow, but Officers were positive about the outcome despite the position being volatile still, so the question could perhaps, be answered more accurately in 12 months’ time.

There was a brief discussion about the format of digital engagement with videos called ‘Inspire me to’ created to support visits by schools and families that Officers considered the best offer combination.  Discussions with the University of Bradford were also underway in relation to a community video.

The Chair requested a Briefing Note to provide an update on what’s happening in City Hall with museums and artists being invited to become resident.

Resolved:-

(i)           That the report and the positive work that is taking place in the Museum and Galleries Service be noted and that a further update be presented in 12 months.

(ii)          That the direction of travel and the proposal to bid for National Portfolio Organisation status from February 2022 be endorsed and the importance of the Museums and Galleries Service in the City of Culture 2025 Bid be noted.

Action: Strategic Director, Place