The report of the Director of the National Media Museum (Document “Y”) provides an update on progress against the National Media Museum’s 3 year plan.

Recommended –

That the view of the Committee be fed back to the Museum Trustees.

(Licia Woodhead – 01274 432119)

The report of the Director of the National Media Museum (Document “Y”) provided an update on progress against the National Media Museum’s 3 year plan. During her presentation, she gave a PowerPoint presentation with the following synopsis of the report:

• It was anticipated that the 3 year plan to enhance selected areas of the museum would be completed in 2 years;
• The museum had an aim to ensure clear focus due to the significant role in Bradford;
• The museum had a new updated website including a new gallery called Wonderland which came with the cost of £1.8 million;
• The museum had been working with local and regional artists;
• The operation of new exhibit rooms for school visits including families were also part of the tour;
• The museum had completely realigned it’s activities and had adopted two driving principles, that being STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and working in partnership;
• Incorporating factors such as working with face to face disfigurement, working with a cluster of 5 schools on Wednesday afternoons with the attendance in the region of 1500 participants
• Google had also sponsored the museum hence given the museum the chance to work with a further 11 schools
• A reputation had been established for STEM hence a network being created through events
• The museum had become a hub for STEM ambassadors. The museum was managing all ambassadors in the West Yorkshire area and had merged with York and the Manchester area;
• There was also the focus of past and future of the cinema; and,
• A Games Festival was also a new flourishing factor and a ever increasing growing industry. The museum was now opening after hours for the sake of science and technology growth.

Following presentation of the report, the following question and answer session ensued:

• Were schools rebooking following previous visits?
  • Yes, they were all returning and the museum had intentions to target all schools in the region;
• The museum’s new ideas, were they in-house or from external sources?
  • New ideas were from various sources including internal and external. The museum had a Programme Committee that met on a regular basis that identified and discussed core themes;
• In relation to the Games Festivals, how do you intend to get reputable universities and its students to visit the festivals in Yorkshire as opposed to big events in bigger cities such as London?
  • To promote Gaming Events we have to work harder and contemplating to run festivals on different dates to London;
• How were you engaging with local communities of Bradford?
  • We had encouraged families to visit with the incentive of running morning breakfast sessions including the cover of transport costs;
• What was the present interior décor state of the museum?
  • All new including new online information, physical appearance of interior décor updated; and,
• How was the museum accessing private schools?
  • Through various opportunities.

Resolved-

That the report and the new development at the National Science and Media Museum be welcomed, and that a progress report be presented to this Committee in 12 months time. c

ACTION: Strategic Director, Corporate Services