news 2 | 2004

NEWSLETTER OF THE NETWORK OF EUROPEAN MUSEUM ORGANISATIONS 3 Taking culture forward The EC hopes the replacement for the Culture Moving in the right direction 2000 programme will be better coordinated and more focused If the public is to have better access to Europe’s cultural heritage, measures to help make moving artefacts between countries easier need to be successful

5 Stopping the traffic Efforts are being made to combat the smuggling of cultural artefacts in Europe, but more needs to be done to stem the flow

7 New faces at the EU

Ján Figel is echnical Services among a number of recent senior appointments at the EU with responsibility for museums Photos: Jean Horsfall/Momart T

ON THE MOVE: THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TROPHY AT THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY IN MANCHESTER (LEFT) AND A SCULPTURE FROM THE IN BEING INSTALLED AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS IN LONDON (RIGHT) 12 Latvia Museums in Latvia have been he Dutch Presidency of the European audiences as possible and the conference in the adapting to a host T Union has made a strong plea for Netherlands highlighted an abundance of of changes since further European support for the initiatives. These ranged from the loan of objects the new EU state mobility of museum collections. On 28-29 of Slovakian gothic art held in foreign collections broke away from October the Netherlands hosted Museum to an exhibition in the Slovakian National Gallery the Soviet Union in 1991 Collections on the Move, an international to the creation of satellite museums, such as the conference that brought together stakeholders new Centre Pompidou in Metz, France, the from old and new member states. They discussed Rijksmuseum’s Golden Box at Amsterdam's a range of policies and best practices that will lead Schiphol Airport, and the plan by Madrid’s Prado the way to greater public access to Europe's Museum to establish independent branches in all cultural heritage. Spanish provinces. The results of the conference are going to be ‘Collection mobility is not something that needs studied by a working party and will be used to help to be instigated, it is something that needs to be develop the European cultural agenda (see page contained,’ says Steven Engelsman, the director 3 on Culture 2007). The UK, which will hold the of the National Museum of Ethnography in presidency from July 2005 onwards, supports the Leiden, the Netherlands. ‘We need to do it better, issue. Nigel Pittman, the head of the museums for better-defined purposes and more efficiently.’ and cultural property division of the Department The main hurdle to be overcome seems to be for Culture, Media and Sport in the UK, confirmed the variety of loan agreements and lending that the mobility of collections is very much at the protocols that currently exist in Europe. The top of the agenda: ‘We will formulate what we European Commission (EC) has made a start by need to do in close cooperation with our Dutch issuing a study into European state indemnity colleagues,’ Pittman says. schemes (see page 9). The desire for one The European museum sector works hard to European indemnity scheme was discussed

make its collections accessible to as many extensively at the conference. But Harald M 2 news

Hartung, the head of the Culture Unit of the EC’s Directorate General for Education and Culture, dashed this hope: ‘For the time being, there are no funds available for a European The Network of European Museum indemnity scheme, but the commission will dam Organisations (NEMO) is an independent follow the issue very closely. In our view, a code network representing the European of conduct and a code of best practice would museum community be the best things to do.’ NEMO is made up of museum NEMO will be invited to take the next step associations and similar professional towards setting a European standard on loan

organisations within the European Union agreements. Museum Collections on the Move Photo: Rijksmuseum Amster (EU), as well as representatives from the commended NEMO as the main representative countries associated with the EU of the European museum profession and step further and aim for TAKING A TRIP: MOVING REMBRANDT’S NIGHTWATCH For more information about NEMO, visit: therefore felt the network is ideally placed to non-insurance www.ne-mo.org facilitate a working party to compare all existing agreements. ‘Why AT AMSTERDAM’S agreements and look into the possibilities of insure if an object of RIJKSMUSEUM, WHICH HAS For local NEMO contacts, visit: creating such a standard. cultural heritage is PROPOSED NON-INSURANCE www.ne-mo.org/members.html Perhaps of even more importance, to ensure irreplaceable anyhow?’ AGREEMENTS FOR LOANS better use and a greater exposure for Europe's A major inquiry into cultural assets, is less competition and collections and collecting, undertaken this year news formality among museum professionals. Much by the Museums Association (MA) in the UK, can be learned from the example of natural has raised issues that will have resonance for history museums. ‘For us, loans are very the rest of Europe. important,’ says Christina Hallmark, the ‘It is clear that if museums are going to NEMO News is produced by the director of the Museum of Natural History in respond effectively to the challenges they Museums Association in the UK Stockholm, Sweden. ‘We perceive our currently face, they will need to work together collections as part of the global scientific better,’ says Helen Wilkinson, the policy officer Editor: Anita van Mil community. Objects sent out on loan come at the MA. Groups of museums with related Email: [email protected] back with added value because they have collections should come together as networks been researched by other scientists.’ to address problems of collection Sub-editors: Helen Gooding, Simon Stephens The Stockholm museum doesn't charge loan management, curatorial expertise and the fees, which ties in with the Bizot principles, a under-use of collections in storage. In some Contributors: Manus Brinkman, Rob set of guidelines issued in 1995 by the cases it will be appropriate for the networks to Davies, Stephanie Gilles, David Haworth, International Group of Organisers of Large- develop international links. Henrietta Hopkins, Jane Morris, Gemma scale Exhibitions. Museums endorsing these The MA hopes this kind of collaboration will Robinson, Jaana Rytkönen, Jutta principles agree to exchange works of art make it easier to make museum collections a Thinesse-Demel, Anja-Tuulikki Huovinen without charging unreasonable costs. The single, shared resource, a concept that worked costs of insurance against loss or depreciation for the Dutch. The Collectie Nederland covers Design: Hannu Rinne are ideally met by a state indemnity scheme. all cultural heritage collections looked after by ‘We must stop stealing from each other,’ museums, archives and libraries with the help Picture research: Karin Mueller says Ronald de of public funding. ‘It has broken down barriers Printer: Simpson Drewett and Co Ltd BEST PRACTICE: NATURAL Leeuw, the director among collection managers in the Netherlands HISTORY MUSEUMS IN EUROPE, of the Rijksmuseum, and has enabled us to pool knowledge about NEMO News is also available in pdf INCLUDING THE ONE IN Amsterdam. His preservation and collection management,’ says format at www.ne-mo.org/news.html LONDON (PICTURED), HAVE A organisation Antoinette Visser, the head of consultancy at GOOD RECORD OF COOPERATION proposed to take the the Netherlands Institute for Cultural Heritage. OVER LOANS Bizot guidelines one ‘And it has also enhanced the visibility of our With the support of the cultural heritage.’ European Community A European collection seems to be a long budget line ‘Support to way from being a workable reality though. In an organisations who promote expanded Europe, fostering stronger European culture’ relationships between colleagues through professional networks seems to be what is needed most. In the words of Medy van der Laan, the Dutch secretary of state for culture: The opinions expressed in this ‘You're more likely to lend your car to a person newsletter do not necessarily you know, than to a complete stranger.’ I reflect the position of the European By | Anita van Mil

Community Photo: Natural History Museum, London www.museumcollectionsonthemove.org

Nemonews is published twice a year Letter from the NEMO chairwoman

The European Commission’s (EC) proposal for the new Cultural are close to the public and to Programme for the years 2007-2013 aims to support the objectives of the diversity at a grassroots level, European Union (EU). It is designed to establish a common cultural area from where the most innovative and to promote the development of a European identity, while respecting ideas are often generated. the diversity of cultures in Europe. Networks such as NEMO are important channels for cultural Although it may not always be easy to find a balance between organisations in Europe. Culture 2007 acknowledges explicitly the value ‘diversity’ and a ‘common cultural area’, it is important that the EU of cultural networks. They are innovators, messengers of our common supports regional cultures and languages at the same time as it heritage, as well as representatives of cultural diversity. By their very underlines common roots. Europe’s strength is its tolerance and respect nature, international networks have little opportunity to raise money at a for individual cultures; that is the legacy of Roman Antiquity for Europe. national level. They are open to all, not exclusive. To allow more effective Diversity is the basis of European heritage and should get special results of long-term planning, networks need longer-term commitment attention in the EU’s programmes. We need to familiarise ourselves with from the EU, instead of annual grants. other cultures to increase understanding. These are the main responses from NEMO on the proposal for Culture Culture 2007 aims to be more open. Simplification of assessment 2007, as brought to the attention of the EC in a meeting in Brussels in procedures is welcomed by museums. It enables operators to participate September. Acknowledging the importance of continuous discussions more widely in the programme. Respecting diversity means small with MEPs, NEMO’s executive will further strengthen its advocacy efforts contributors should be able to add value to the common cultural area too. towards them and encourages all NEMO members to do the same. Museums can promote mutual cultural understanding effectively. They By | Anja-Tuulikki Huovinen

International Council of Museums UK board, Cultural cooperation’s next step with extensive international experience, pointed out that there are positive benefits to the new approach: ‘Many museums should be able to The successor to the Culture 2000 programme will have more money and take advantage of the strand which encourages should provide a better focus for pan-European projects the transnational circulation of works of art and artistic and cultural products, particularly if proposal was presented to the opportunities for the cultural sector, and those museums take this in its broadest sense.’ A European Parliament in August to that make use of it, are enhanced. It will be up to It will now be up to Luxembourg and the UK, establish a successor to Culture applicants to think laterally about linking their which succeed the Netherlands for the 2000. The new initiative will run from 2007 to own projects to two of the three objectives and it presidency of the European Union, to negotiate 2013 and the European Commission has will be important for smaller museums to join the final programme so it can be rolled out by acknowledged some of the criticisms of the forces with larger institutions in order to gain full 2007. Hopefully, the constructive comments Culture 2000 Framework Programme. These benefit without being over-burdened by the, received during the consultation process will include: the perception by member states that albeit simplified, process. have a positive impact on the final programme. support for action in the cultural field lacks Barbara Woroncow, a Polish member of the By | Henrietta Hopkins coordination; that Culture 2000 tries to satisfy too many objectives; and that the themed structure of the framework severely restricts collaboration across cultural disciplines. The new programme, with a proposed budget of e408m for 2007 to 2013 (a 39 per cent increase), aims to provide better support for the development of cultural cooperation in Europe. The theory is that by focusing on three objectives — transnational mobility of those working in the cultural sector; LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: transnational A COURSE IN THE NETHERLANDS circulation of ‘artistic THAT HELPS PEOPLE TO and cultural works INTEGRATE INTO DUTCH and products’; and SOCIETY. IT IS COMBINED WITH intercultural A MUSEUM PROJECT OFFERING

dialogue — the DUTCH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE Photo: Reyer Boxem/HH

For more information about NEMO: www.ne-mo.org 4 news

NEMO, the Network of European Museum Organisations, was founded in 1992. Since then it has grown into a strong professional network with 29 European countries involved. NEMO represents and lobbies on behalf of European museum organisations and provides them with information on relevant European Union initiatives and other issues of importance. It also encourages the exchange of information between museums and related organisations throughout Europe

NEMO membership Website NEMO is an independent network that sets its own rules of procedure In addition to the annual meeting and NEMO News, the website is and has an informal structure. NEMO is made up of organisations, such NEMO’s main information channel for its members. www.ne-mo.org as museums associations, within the countries of the European Union provides information about NEMO activities plus issues of concern to (EU). Other European countries are NEMO observers. Each member cultural heritage bodies and museums such as European cultural policy country nominates up to two representatives at the annual meeting, and other related news. It gives an insight into NEMO’s statutes, links to which elects the executive. The chairmanship of NEMO rotates among the EU and information about the museum sector in NEMO-member the member countries. Finland has been chairing NEMO since 2002, countries (legislation, structure, number of museums, and so on). Under succeeding the UK, Netherlands and , where the first annual ‘local info’, www.ne-mo.org publishes the national reports presented by meeting was held in 1992. At the moment NEMO has 29 member NEMO members at the annual meeting. countries with 44 representatives. Active members are vital for NEMO — The website has a member register database, which is updated as the they make it what it is. information comes in, making it a reliable source of contact details. The database requires just one click of the mouse to send an email to all NEMO's executive NEMO contacts. NEMO's activities are guided by an executive of six members: chair Anja- Tuulikki Huovinen from the Finnish Museums Association plus executive Partner search members György Balázs from the Hungarian Museums Association, One of the reasons why NEMO decided to offer museums a user-friendly Frank Birkebaek from the Museum in Denmark, Inês Freitas and efficient way to look for partners in various EU projects was the fact from the Portuguese Museum Institute, Mechtild Kronenberg from the that the main theme for the 2004 call of Culture 2000 was cultural German Museums Association, and Mark Taylor from the Museums heritage. Compared with many other partner search mechanisms, Association in the UK. NEMO’s partner search is simple to use — it doesn't require any form filling or registration. European Union support In 2004, the partner search website has been visited by people from all NEMO has received EU support for the work it has done in 2004, which over Europe, with slightly more hits from the UK, Hungary, Austria, Italy has had a significant impact on its activities. NEMO has been able to help and Poland. The database hosts projects from different parts of Europe, members to attend the annual meeting, improve its distribution of from Italy to Sweden, and Russia to Portugal. The new EU-member information through the website and NEMO News, and lobby more countries have become a considerable user group of the partner search effectively in Brussels. NEMO welcomes the opportunity for cultural service. Most of the ideas posted on the database (currently totalling 48) networks to apply for grants for their activities in the EU's future are related to the Culture 2000 programme. culture programme. By | Jaana Rytkönen

NEMO meetings This year, NEMO’s executive held meetings in Paris (June) and in Brussels (September), where it met members of the European In 2005, NEMO’s secretariat will be located at the Finnish Commission (EC) and the European Parliament. On this occasion, the Museums Association executive presented NEMO’s response to the EC's proposal for Culture 2007 to the head of the Culture Unit of the Directorate General for Annankatu 16 B 50 Education and Culture, Harald Hartung. The last meeting of the FI-00120 Helsinki executive took place in Amsterdam (November) during the Finland annual meeting. T +358 9 5841 1730 (chair); +358 9 5841 1727 (secretary) NEMO’s 2004 annual meeting agenda covered collection mobility and F +358 9 5841 1750 European indemnity, the EU’s future framework for culture, and NEMO- [email protected] related matters. The meeting is a very important event for all members. It is a great opportunity to meet colleagues from all over Europe and to hear Jaana Rytkönen is the secretary of NEMO about the latest developments in museums and in cultural heritage policy. An increasing number of participants come from the new For more info on NEMO go to www.ne-mo.org EU-member countries. news 5

Stopping the traffic By | Manus Brinkman

The smuggling and selling of cultural artefacts is a serious issue and it has prompted the creation of a number of laws and conventions to curb illicit practices. But unless European countries can agree to common regulations, they will remain complicit in the trafficking trade

I n September 2004, a group of art December 1992, Regulation 3911/92 was Museums need to be smugglers imported 228 issued to govern export controls of cultural reliable partners. Their pre-Columbian artefacts from goods at the EU's external frontiers, requiring ” collections need to have a Nicaragua into Spain. Most of the pieces all member states to follow the same figured prominently on the International procedures. Regulation 3911/92 applies to legal background and they Council of Museum's Red List of Latin listed cultural goods, products of should protect the cultural American cultural objects in danger. This archaeological excavations and objects from heritage of every nation. means they are protected by national monuments, and it requires the presentation legislation and it is strictly forbidden to of an export licence. Licences may be refused Illicit trade runs against export, import or sell them. if an object belongs to the category of this principle This kind of illicit traffic is very common in 'national treasures' by law. Europe. Artefacts, mostly from developing On 15 March 1993 the EU issued a second countries, are smuggled into Europe in a directive (993/7/EEC) to complement the cultural property from occupied territory. It variety of ways, although Europe itself is not first. This directive addresses the return of also aims to enforce the return of cultural exempt from theft and looting. cultural objects stolen from the territory of a property once it has been taken. Frank Birkebaek, the director of the member state. It is a measure that supports The destruction of cultural property during Roskilde Museum in Denmark and a member the internal market policy, which was conflicts at the end of the 1980s and the of NEMO’s executive, believes that illicit adopted on 1 January 1993 when the internal beginning of the 1990s prompted a review of traffic strikes fragile cultures in threatened European frontiers were abolished. the Hague Convention in 1991, resulting in situations. ‘Illicit traffic can be regarded as an The Council of Europe has put an equally the adoption of a Second Protocol in March expression of a dominating position in large emphasis on protecting culture. One of 1999. The Second Protocol made it easier to relation to the culture exploited; it is an the first conventions was adopted by the bring perpetrators to justice. expression of lack of respect for this culture,’ Council of Europe in 1954 in Paris. The aim of Meanwhile, the Unesco Convention had Birkebaek says. the European Cultural Convention of 1954 is been drawn up to limit the illicit trade of Anja-Tuulikki Huovinen, the director of the to safeguard European culture, but although cultural property. It calls for legislation, Finnish Museums Association and the it talks about protection in general, it is not national registers of cultural objects and chairwoman of NEMO, adds: ‘Museums need very specific on illegal trade. educational programmes, and provides a to be reliable partners. Their collections need National laws on protecting culture are mechanism for the recovery of an illicitly to have a legal background and they should directed by international conventions. The exported object. Nevertheless, it was protect the cultural heritage of every nation. most important of these are the 1954 criticised for lacking important elements. It

Illicit trade runs against this principle.’ Convention for the Protection of Cultural was based on public law and only worked M Legislation is the key to protecting cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (the heritage against illicit traffic. First of all, Hague Convention); the 1970 Unesco strong national legislation is required. This is Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and needed in parallel with signing and ratifying Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and international conventions. European Union Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property; (EU) member states each have their own and the 1995 Unidroit Convention on Stolen national laws. In general, these laws are or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects. designed to protect monuments and regulate The Hague Convention was a reaction to archaeological excavations and sales. They the massive destruction of cultural heritage also deal with the export of national cultural during the Second World War. Its symbol of a property. But rules vary enormously from blue shield was adopted together with its country to country. As a result, the import First Protocol to prevent the export of and sale of an illegally exported object may not be prohibited in the receiving country. LOOTED WORKS: LEGISLATION IS THE KEY TO PROTECTING THE In an attempt to standardise practice, the ILLICIT TRADE IN CULTURAL ARTEFACTS SUCH AS THIS MOSAIC,

EU has released two directives. On 9 WHICH WAS LOOTED FROM A SITE IN NORTHERN CYPRUS Photo : McDonald Institute 6 news

through diplomatic channels. Also, under the The Unesco Convention has by 104 countries. The Unidroit Convention Unesco Convention, a private individual been ratified by 104 has only been ratified by 23 countries. could not claim any objects, there are no time However, its rate of progress compares ” countries. The Unidroit limits for claims, it didn't recognise illegally favourably with the early years of the 1970 excavated objects as stolen, and it was weak Convention has up until now Convention. The more states that ratify the on the issue of good faith. only been ratified by 23 system of international conventions and Unesco therefore asked the International make their laws conform to it, the stronger countries. The more states Institute for the Unification of Private Law the effects will be. Although the majority of (Unidroit), an inter-governmental that ratify the system of EU members have now signed the 1970 organisation based in Rome, to prepare a international conventions Unesco Convention, there are still pitifully complementary convention — the Unidroit and make their laws few countries that have ratified Unidroit. I Convention — which was adopted in 1995. conform to it, the stronger The Unidroit Convention had the same For texts and signatories of the international aims as the Unesco Convention but was the effects will be conventions: designed to complement it. The Unidroit www.portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php- Convention intends to ease the restitution of URL_ID=2405&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_ cultural objects and is based on private law. It carry out far more thorough investigations SECTION=201.html states that the possessor of a stolen object before buying. must return it, regardless of personal Unidroit introduced time limits for periods For the EU directives: involvement or knowledge of the original up to a maximum of 75 years. So in some www.europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/ theft. Moreover, the Unidroit Convention cases, objects can be claimed back 75 years l11017a.htm makes no compensation provisions, unless after ratification. But Unidroit and the www.europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/ 'the possessor neither knew, nor ought to Unesco Convention are not retroactive and en/goods/dir937.htm have known reasonably, that the object was come into force only at the moment a state stolen'. This has antagonised art dealers and has signed and ratified it, not before. For information on illicit traffic: auction houses greatly as it obliges them to The Unesco Convention has been ratified www.cyberpursuits.com/archeo/law-arch.asp

European Union signatories to anti-smuggling conventions EU states that have ratified or acceded to the Convention for the Protection of European Union (EU) states that have EU states that have ratified or acceded to Cultural Property in the Event of Armed ratified or acceded to the Unesco the Unidroit Convention on Stolen or Conflict (the Hague, 1954): Convention of Prohibiting and Illegally Exported Cultural Objects Hungary 1956 Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and (Rome, 1995): Poland 1956 Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Lithuania 1997 France 1957 Property (Paris, 1970): Hungary 1998 Italy 1958 Poland 1974 Finland 1999 Netherlands 1958 Italy 1978 Italy 1999 Spain 1960 Hungary 1978 Portugal 2002 Belgium 1960 Greece 1981 Spain 2002 Luxembourg 1961 Portugal 1985 Slovakia 2003 Austria 1964 Spain 1986 Cyprus 2004 Cyprus 1964 Slovenia 1992 Slovenia 2004 Germany 1967 Czech Republic 1993 Greece 1981 Slovakia 1993 EU states that have not signed the 1970 Sweden 1985 Estonia 1995 or 1995 conventions (November 2004): Slovenia 1992 France 1997 Ireland Czech Republic 1993 Lithuania 1998 Netherlands Slovakia 1993 Finland 1999 Belgium Finland 1994 United Kingdom 2002 Germany Estonia 1995 Sweden 2003 Latvia Lithuania 1998 Denmark 2003 Austria Portugal 2000 Malta Denmark 2003 Luxembourg Latvia 2003 news 7

New faces for European culture By | David Haworth

After a period of relative inactivity for cultural policies in European government, a number of newly appointed people are now ready to make their influence felt among areas that affect museums

L ast summer's European Parliament network of European (Union) Information Outsiders making contact elections, plus the delayed Centres, which disseminates data and with the European inauguration of the new European information about the EU, and new ” Commission and the Commission (EC) under José Manuel Barroso, technologies in the audiovisual sector. In his has meant many quiet months in developing role as the head of the EC's Culture Unit, European Parliament will European Union (EU) policies affecting Hartung reports to education and culture find both approachable and museums. Any changes to EU cultural policy director general Nikolaus van der Pas (see receptive. In principle, they that might be expected under Slovakia's Ján interview, NEMO News 1|2004, page 5), a Figel, the new education and culture permanent official under commissioner Figel. welcome outside ideas if commissioner for the next five years, will also Another body that is of relevance to the they are clear and specific; not be evident until 2005. heritage sector is the Culture Committee of general complaints or Despite his vocal support for culture and the European Parliament. The Culture suggestions are considered heritage policies ahead of his confirmation as Committee's chairman is Nikolaos Sifounakis, a commissioner, Figel has relatively little a former Greek minister for the Aegean time-wasting experience in these fields. He entered politics Islands. A first-term MEP, elected last June, he as a Christian Democrat in 1992, when unusually became a parliamentary Slovakia broke from the former committee chairman straight away. Culture is not a contentious policy area Czechoslovakia and became an independent Sifounakis has declared that one of his aims and contacts between the EC and parliament nation. He has been his country's foreign is to increase the EU's budget for culture, are frequent, mainly informal, and good. minister and also handled Slovakia's EU which he believes is way too low. His second Likewise, outsiders making contact will accession negotiations. In a hearing in the ambition is to stimulate much greater traffic find both approachable and receptive. In European Parliament, Figel declared that in cultural and educational exchanges within principle, they welcome outside ideas if they improved contact between cultural groups, the EU. are clear and specific; general complaints or such as museums associations and EU The EC Culture Unit and parliament's suggestions are considered time-wasting. institutions, would be a priority. He also Culture Committee have broadly similar The best way, initially, of launching new ideas promised to push research spending, remits and their relationship is generally is to contact an MEP. But advice can also be twinning projects, and the creation of informal. The committee proposes changes sought through national members of the European networks of cultural experts. to the full parliament on amendments to EU independent EU Economic and Social Affairs Under the Treaty of the European Union, programmes and legislation in its field, but Committee. I European institutions can spend money, time the EU executive does not have to take them and resources promoting culture themselves. on board if it thinks otherwise. For more information visit www.europa.eu.int But there must be unanimity in the EU Council of Ministers, which represents member states, for most proposals affecting museums. Furthermore, the Committee of Regions, which represents local authorities in the EU, must be consulted. For some issues affecting museums, approval must also be secured from the European Parliament. Most EU decisions are implemented by the EC, the EU executive which has a Culture Unit led by the Austrian official Harald Hartung. (Hartung has been head of the Culture Unit since last April). As a history graduate of the

University of Vienna, he wrote a thesis on Parliament photo : European Centre Standardisation in Europe. Previously, he MAIN MEN: JÁN FIGEL (LEFT) IS THE EDUCATION AND CULTURE COMMISSIONER AT THE EU, NIKOLAOS SIFOUNAKIS (CENTRE) IS THE held EC responsibilities for the international CHAIRMAN OF THE PARLIAMENT’S CULTURE COMMITTEE AND HARALD HARTUNG (RIGHT) IS THE HEAD OF THE EC’S CULTURE UNIT 8 news

Natural history scheme SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH: THE A total of 20 natural history institutions, NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM including museums and botanical gardens in IN LONDON IS AMONG THE 20 11 European countries, have teamed up to INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED IN form Synthesys, a five-year project to create THE SYNTHESYS PROJECT a unique resource of collections, facilities and expertise that will be of immense value months, with the to scientific research. It has been awarded final deadline in A13m from the European Commission's March 2009. Sixth Framework Programme’s Integrating In addition to Infrastructure Initiative. providing access, Synthesys will provide enhanced access Synthesys also to Europe's globally important natural focuses on history collections and resources, and there networking, with the will be greater opportunities to exchange intention of enabling information and collaborate on research. To the participating gain access to the collections held by the 11 institutions to work together as an There is also an ambition to provide new national Taxonomic Access Facilities (TAFs), integrated single structure for natural policies on emerging technologies for researchers need to apply through a history. Synthesys will set standards for the storing collections, such as DNA samples or competitive process. If successful, their management of collections and for tissue banks. research and living costs while at the TAF databases. It aims to raise scientists' By | Gemma Robinson will be covered by Synthesys. awareness of best practice by offering For more information on Synthesys, or to There is A9.5m available for access, with improved training and workshop submit an application for access, visit the next deadline for proposals on 18 March opportunities, and guidelines for the care, www.synthesys.info or email 2005. There will be six further calls every six storage and conservation of collections. [email protected]

The information age Informal learning The increasing importance of local cultural All over the world, learning and education identity, combined with the potential of are in a state of transition. The fifth technology, will be a major catalyst to the international conference on adult take-up of the Information Society by education in Hamburg in 1997 declared that ordinary citizens in Europe and will provide institutions throughout Europe and will today's societies would not be able to face bridges for social inclusion across the provide a basis for the Calimera agenda. the challenges of the new knowledge digital divide. Local institutions, such as Technical developments and solutions society without the active and creative public libraries, museums and archives, are emerging from IST, national research and participation of individuals. essential contributors to these goals. They industry that are suitable for applications Many professions demand adaptability have to be encouraged to make the best use responding to the needs of local cultural and a willingness to change, and individuals of existing technologies and to contribute institutions are being monitored and face the need for continuous learning in all to the creation, use and delivery of local selected. At the same time, Calimera is stages of their lives. Seventy per cent of all cultural content to meet specific local setting out to coordinate and mobilise local learning takes place outside traditional information and learning needs. cultural institutions and their national institutions. The European Commission Calimera, funded through the authorities for their new role as key players (EC) has been emphasising the significance Information Society Technologies (IST) RTD in transforming innovative technologies of museums as informal learning spaces Programme until June 2005, is contributing into helpful services for ordinary since the 1990s. to these goals. Calimera aims to individuals, including all types of users. The Museums as Learning Places summarises coordinate strategies and to stimulate local aim is for European cultural heritage to the work of three major projects under cultural institutions to participate in future serve the public better. Socrates, the European programme for calls for proposals. It builds on the By | Rob Davies education. They are: Adult Education and achievements of the Pulman Network of For more detailed information, including the Museum (AEM); Museum and Adult Excellence, which has already set the scene country-by-country reports, visit Education Are More (MUSAEAM); and for promoting best practice among local www.calimera.org European Culture Mediator (EUROEDULT). news 9

EC indemnity study Musées Nationaux (France) and the State up plans to mount an exhibition, or borrow An Inventory of National Systems of Public Museums of Berlin (Germany), and aims to certain works, because of prohibitive Guarantees in 31 European Countries is a increase the knowledge about the existing insurance premiums. new study published in June 2004. It deals insurance systems by investigating in detail The authors of the study hope it will be with the growing concern of museums and those already in place in 31 European useful in helping museums to understand other exhibition organisers about how to countries. The joint analysis shows that 17 the way in which state indemnity works in finance increasing insurance fees for the of the countries studied have a state other countries. It might also be of international mobility of artworks. indemnity scheme, although the frequency assistance to countries that are currently More and more countries are providing a of their use differs widely. Most of the thinking about setting up such a scheme. system of state indemnity through which the countries without such a system report By | Stephanie Gilles owners of objects on loan are offered an difficulties in organising exhibitions due to The study (n° 2003-4879) can be found at assurance that, in case of damage or loss, high insurance costs. Some museums www.europa.eu.int/comm/culture/eac/sources public authorities will provide financial revealed that they had been forced to give _info/studies/garanti_fr.html compensation. But as the systems vary widely (if they exist at all) from one country to another, lenders tend to refuse state indemnity offered by other countries and consequently refuse to lend works to temporary exhibitions. The study is carried out on behalf of the European Commission by the Réunion des

LOAN AGREEMENTS: AN EXHIBITION FROM THE NEW YORK MUSEUM OF MODERN ART AT THE NEUE NATIONALGALERIE IN BERLIN, GERMANY, WHERE THE OBJECTS ON DISPLAY WERE INSURED THROUGH INDEMNITY REGULATIONS

The publication details how learning in museums has developed from the first attempts to establish a European agenda for adult learning in museums and galleries, through to the launch of a European qualification in the field of cultural mediation. It is a compendium on the Conference call technology. An important part of the Musei design, implementation, results and Musei & Musei is a three-day conference to & Musei conference will be dedicated to outputs of all museum-related adult be held from 19-21 October 2005 at the museum management. This will focus on education projects that have been Brixia Expo Trade Fair Centre in Brescia, retail, organising events and modern implemented under the Socrates Italy. It will look at how museums have marketing strategies. Programme of the EC since 1995. Many of developed from being centres of By | Anita van Mil the contributions to this publication conservation and history, to places where An enrolment form will be available from originate from statements, lectures or presentation follows the dynamics and January 2005 at www.museimusei.com — for presentations given at conferences economic demands of modern-day society. further information, email [email protected] or or events. Experts in the sector from all over the telephone + 39 02 325 246. The handbook was originally published in world, ranging from museum directors to German, and has since been translated into architects, designers, technicians and English, French, Italian and Hungarian, specialists in the field of communication, although not all versions are available in retail and economy, will examine issues print at present. related to the construction of gallery spaces By | Jutta Thinesse-Demel and the problems concerning their design For more information, contact Jutta Thinesse- within contemporary urban settings. Safety, Demel on telephone +49 (0)89 5806664, or conservation and refurbishment will all be email [email protected] examined from the angle of cutting-edge 10 news

Austria regions (five instead of 15). The current regional grants for museums will be taken Austria is considering extending tax relief over by the state and the kommunes, without which, at the moment, only applies to any long-term funding guarantee. The reform museums that are open to the public and will also mean that museums currently in show a collection that is deemed to be of different kommunes will have to merge. national importance. However, the reform is not seen as all bad. It A regional museums association has been will stir up debate about the concept of founded in the province of Carinthia. museums and provide opportunities to In 2005, about 50 museums are joining develop new partnerships. renovated and, in Delphi, the Archaeological forces to put on exhibitions about everyday Museum was extended, which allowed many life in Austria since 1945. Finland finds to be put on display for the first time. The Museum of the History of the Olympic Bulgaria In 2007, a reformed museums' state aid law Games in Antiquity was opened in Olympia. will come into force. The aim is to develop In collaboration with four regional museums and direct museum activities better. It is Latvia in Varna, Shumen, Burgas and Ruse, the hoped that this will be achieved by defining Bulgarian Museums Association finished quality criteria and encouraging the A programme in which state museums will Itineraries of Cultural Tourism, a project development of stronger museum units that become public institutions has started. This supported by the Ministry of Tourism. are better equipped to cooperate at a change in legal status gives museums more Together with the Dobrich Art Gallery, the national and international level. Instead of managerial independence and increases association participated in a European one full-time employee, a museum receiving their responsibilities. An authority lifelong learning programme, funded by the state aid needs to employ two staff agreement will outline the museum European Union (EU). The project provides a members, educated to at least degree level, performance indicators. two-month training course for museum staff with a basic grounding in museology. By law, all public museums should be in Spain. The Finnish Museums Association has accredited and the first accreditation stage, Since Bulgaria and Romania are both launched a website (www.museums.fi) which in which museums proved their compliance joining the EU in 2007, the Museums is a portal to Finnish museums' websites in with minimum standards, has been Association and the Dobrich Art Gallery English for travellers. successfully completed. The second stage are working on a project to enhance includes criteria such as sustainable cross-border cooperation between the Germany operations and accessibility. two countries. Higher Quality? Evaluating Museum Work, Lithuania Croatia was the theme of the German Museums Association's annual conference in 2004. The In 2005 the Lithuanian Museums Lack of funding remains an issue for Croatian conference was attended by more than 300 Modernisation Programme kicks off. It's a museums. The Museums Association has delegates who discussed the possibilities of state-run project aimed at national and been without a president for most of the year, implementing a museum law, or registration republican museums. Money will be made which paralysed most of its activities, schemes, to improve professional work in the available for renovating buildings, improving including the publication of its journal. Also, country's 6,500 institutions. A special conservation, renewing displays, putting in the association has not been acknowledged parliamentary commission is working on a digital collection management systems and as an autonomous civil body, which is a report, to be published in 2005, about the training staff. The Lithuanian museum sector barrier to international cooperation. state of culture in Germany. has an excellent web presence; At present, most of the Croatian Museums www.muziejai.lt gives detailed information Association's activities are related to Greece about current issues, and is also available in education, with good progress in terms of English, French and German. museums working with schools. In some As Greece hosted the Olympic Games in museums, digitisation of collections has got summer 2004, the Ministry of Culture The Netherlands off to a good start. implemented the renovation of buildings, and the overhaul of displays in many of its During its presidency of the EU, the Dutch Denmark national museums. government announced an increased In Athens, extensive repairs were made to indemnity guarantee of 10 per cent in order Denmark is preparing to reform its the National Archaeological Museum and to to stimulate the mobility of (European) administrative structure, creating larger the Byzantine Museum. The Archaeological collections. The Netherlands Museums 'kommunes' (local authorities) and larger Museum in Thessaloniki was thoroughly Association is pleased with the result, but news 11

continues to aim for the British model with a view the text of the law, go to government guarantee of 100 per cent. www.ipmuseus.pt/cgi- United Kingdom Museums have been very preoccupied with bin/ipmuseus_en/fs_home.html the latest government spending round. Under the current government in the UK, Unfortunately, major cuts of A19m were Slovenia there has been more money for arts and announced. After extensive lobbying, this culture but a lack of any guiding strategy or figure was reduced to A9m. The new cultural In 2004, the Association of Museums of policy has meant it has been channelled into policy was agreed on 22 November 2004 Slovenia focused on training. It helped many specific projects, or been given reactively. and sets the policy framework for the next of the sector’s staff to participate in This has resulted in national museums four years. international conferences and it developed a enjoying a rise in visitors taking advantage of Slovenian version of the Matra workshop free entry but a decline in base funding. Local Portugal (following the Dutch model). government museums have found it A project to equip all members with increasingly difficult to carry out core The Portuguese government passed a law computers and with a cultural heritage functions, despite initiatives such as regulating the creation, activities and register programme has already been started Renaissance in the Regions and the Cultural management of Portuguese museums. The and will be a key task in 2005. In 2004 the Commission in Scotland. law is an important step towards enhancing association intensified its collaboration with Meanwhile, the Museums Association's museums' practice. It follows a period of the Slovenian Museum Society and the (MA) consultation into collections has stirred enormous growth in the sector, and one of its National Board of Slovenia's ICOM. Together, much debate among the UK’s museum main goals is to make sure that each new the three organisations publish , the community. The MA is planning to publish a museum works according to a well-defined Journal of Slovene Museums, which features report based on the findings of the programme and international guidelines. To summaries in English. consultation in May 2005.

Your local NEMO contact

Austria T: +372 7 461 911 [email protected] Russia Peter Assman [email protected] www.irishmuseums.org Vladimir I. Tolstoy T: +43 (0)732 77 44 82 42 www.emy.kul.ee T: +7 (0872) 47 67 12, 38 67 10 [email protected] Italy [email protected] www.museumsbund.at Finland Giovanni Pinna Anja-Tuulikki Huovinen [email protected] Slovak Republic Belgium T: +358 9 5841 1730 Andrea Doktorova Staf Thomas [email protected] Latvia T: +421 2 52926 321-5 T: +32 3 216 03 60 www.museoliitto.fi Janis Garjans [email protected] [email protected] T: +371 750 3870 www.museumvereniging.be France [email protected] Slovenia Sylvie Grange Orest Jarh Bulgaria T: +33 1 40 15 36 49 Lithuania T: +386 61 1361 606, 1363 483 Peter Ivanov [email protected] Lolita Valuziene [email protected] T:+359 52 64 10 81 T: +370 5 279 0371, 269 0918 mrc.pms-lj.si/SMS/index_gb.html [email protected] Germany [email protected] Mechtild Kronenberg www.muziejai.lt Spain Croatia T: +49 30 8410 95 17 Pilar de Navascués Nada Vrkljan-Krizic [email protected] The Netherlands T: +34 91 547 36 46 T: +385 1 48 51 808 www.museumsbund.de Margriet de Jong [email protected] [email protected] T: +31 20 551 29 00 www.museocerralbo.mcu.es Greece [email protected] Cyprus Suzanna Choulia-Kapeloni www.museumvereniging.nl Sweden Pavlos Flourentzos T:+30 210 3304 030, 8201 420 Gunilla Sundblad T:+357 2 865 801 [email protected] Norway T: +46 8 653 3988 [email protected] www.culture.gr Tron Wigeland Nilsen [email protected] T: +47 2220 14 02 www.museiforeningen.se Czech Republic Hungary [email protected] Dagmar Fialova György Balázs Switzerland T:+420 224 210 037-39 T: +36 1 473 2422 Poland Bernard A Schüle [email protected] [email protected] Miroslaw Borusiewicz T: +41 1 218 6542 www.cz-museums.cz www.museum.hu/pulszkytarsasag T: +48 42 633 82 73 [email protected] [email protected] www.vms-ams.ch Denmark Iceland www.museumct.lodz.pl Frank Birkebæk Sigrún Ásta Jónsdottir United Kingdom T: +45 46 31 6500 T: +354 421 6700 Portugal Mark Taylor [email protected] [email protected] Inês Freitas T: +44 20 7426 6950 www.roskildemuseum.dk T: +351 21 365 0803 [email protected] Ireland [email protected] www.museumsassociation.org Estonia Pat Cook www.ipmuseus.pt Heivi Pullerits T:+353 1 493 4208 NEMO website: www.ne-mo.org 12 news

EU accession countries: Latvia By | Jane Morris

In May 2004, ten new members joined the European Union. This issue of NEMO News looks at Latvia, a Baltic state that borders Estonia, Russia, Belarus and Lithuania

atvia broke away from the Soviet also becoming more public facing, trying to L Union in 1991 and since then its work with local communities to halt the museums — more than 200 of them decline in visitors that took place in the early — have been experiencing a sustained 1990s. Since 1999 the state has operated an period of change, matching the political, accreditation system to make sure 'museum cultural and economic transition that the work is high quality, professional and relevant country is undergoing. Janis Garjans, the to society,' says Agrita Ozola, the director of head of the State Authority on Museums, the Tukums Museum. says: 'Latvian cultural policy has become Almost all the 130-plus state and local LATVIA more open and democratic, and museums authority museums have become accredited. have been transformed from ideological tools Only a handful of the 100-or-so ‘private’ . Riga into independent cultural museums are accredited, but it is still institutions striving to achieve a dynamic and growing sector. their missions.' Museums are also valued in The mission of many of the political sphere, these museums has according to Janis changed considerably Garjans: 'Latvian society the Rundale Palace Museum has been since the mid-17th appreciates cultural recognised by Europa Nostra for its expertise century when Riga City heritage, which is in restoration, while the Turaida Museum Council decided to demonstrated by the Reserve won a special commendation at the build the first public enthusiasm of the 1996 European Museum of the Year Award. museum in the capital. As municipalities and private Latvia has also shown commitment to the in other European states, individuals to create new development of professional museum skills. Latvia's museums are still museums.’ Since 1998, 15 new There are informal programmes of learning entrusted with collecting and municipal museums have opened, or organised by the Latvian Museums caring for the nation's heritage. But they are will open shortly. At the state level, a new Association, continuing professional museum of modern art is being debated, and development organised by the State LATIVAN DISPLAYS: A PERMANENT EXHIBITION AT THE TUKUMS there are plans for a major refurbishment of Authority on Museums, and a new Baltic MUSEUMS (ABOVE) AND THE RUNDALE PALACE MUSEUM Riga Castle, which houses three museums. Museology School, devised with the help of (BELOW), WHICH HAS WON AN AWARD FOR RESTORATION WORK Latvian museums have also won awards: the International Council of Museums.

Latvia Latvia has a population of less than 2.5 million people, with 800,000 of these based in the capital Riga. It has a large Russian-speaking minority, alongside the majority Latvian population. Latvia has approximately 233 museums, though the sector is developing rapidly. In 2004, state museums were restructured to become agencies, rather than state institutions, giving them more freedom to manage themselves and to fundraise. Photo : Ints Lusis