Science Museum Group Annual Report and Accounts 2011-2012
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Annual Report and Accounts 2011−2012 Science Museum Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester National Railway Museum in York and Shildon National Media Museum SCMG Enterprises Ltd HC 382 Science Museum Group Annual Report and Accounts 2011−2012 Report and Accounts presented to Parliament pursuant to Section 9(8) of the Museums and Galleries Act 1992 Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 11 July 2012 HC 382 London: The Stationery Office £14.75 Science Museum Group (SMG) members: (Formerly known as National Museum of Science & Industry) Science Museum Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester National Railway Museum in York and Shildon National Media Museum SCMG Enterprises Ltd © Science Museum Group 2012 You may reuse this information (not including logos and images) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence or e-mail [email protected]. Where we have indentified any third-party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at [email protected]. This publication is available for download at www.official-documents.gov.uk. This document is also available from our website at www.sciencemuseumgroup.ac.uk. ISBN: 9780102975772 Printed in the UK for The Stationery Office Limited on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. ID: 2477682 07/12 Printed on paper containing 75% recycled fibre content minimum. SMG Annual Report and Accounts 2011−12 Contents Review of 2011–12 and plans for the future 7 About the Science Museum Group 24 Financial review 28 Remuneration report 33 Statement of Board of Trustees’ and Director’s responsibilities 36 Governance statement 37 Sustainability report 44 The certificate and report of the Comptroller and Auditor General to the Houses of Parliament 49 Annual accounts 2011–12 50 Awards and nominations, exhibitions, publications and acquisitions 78 5 SMG Annual Report and Accounts 2011−12 6 SMG Annual Report and Accounts 2011−12 1 Review of 2011–12 and plans for the future 1.1 Director’s statement This year saw a major milestone in the history of the was visited by staff from York who assessed, reviewed Science Museum Group (SMG), with the Museum of and advised on aspects of the museum’s development. Science and Industry (MOSI), Manchester joining the Group Meanwhile, staff from the Science Museum’s learning in February 2012. Together we form the most significant team shared their knowledge with museum colleagues science museum group in the world, with an unrivalled in KwaZulu/Natal, South Africa as well as colleagues in collection and an audience of over 5 million visitors a Saudi Arabia. In addition to the provision of advice, Science year. By working together we have a truly national reach Museum learning programme shows have been in demand and can bring the best of what our Museums have to internationally, with the outreach team performing at the offer to more people across the country. We can share Abu Dhabi Science Festival. our programmes, exhibitions and learning expertise and All of this activity takes place against a backdrop of reduced improve access to an enhanced collection which now Grant in Aid funding and economic uncertainty. In response also represents Manchester’s unique industrial heritage. we have made good progress in achieving cost savings In recognition of the profile and influence we seek, the and generating income. For example, this year we have Group changed its name from National Museum of Science delivered a project to consolidate our storage capability & Industry, to Science Museum Group, building on the across the Group, enabling us to cease all off-site storage familiarity and good standing of the Science Museum. in York and Bradford. We have also continued our work to reduce energy consumption and are committed to the Whilst the joining of MOSI provides many future Carbon Reduction Masterplan for the 1851 Estate. We opportunities to enhance our offer through collaborative have developed innovative ways to generate income whilst work, we have already seen the benefit of joint working enhancing our offer, such as the Science Museum Live on across our sites. In line with our objective to enhance Tour! theatre show and our enhanced on-site welcome the public offer through joint programming at the which has increased visitor giving. National Railway Museum (NRM) in York and in Shildon (Locomotion), visitors to these museums had the There are many challenges ahead, especially in financial opportunity to be part of our first ever cross-site venture, and economic areas, but the Science Museum Group is with steam and diesel shuttles operating between York determined to make significant changes in response. and Shildon over two weekends. The Science Museum As an organisation we will deliver our programmes worked with the NRM and MOSI, along with external and development plans by building on our excellent partners At-Bristol and Catalyst, to deliver the second year scholarship and learning, whilst seeking to be extrovert, of the Climate Science Outreach Project. The project aims entrepreneurial and efficient. to reach over 5000 Year 9 students and their teachers over three years. Another significant collaboration within the Group during the year has been the ongoing development of Media Space. This gallery, based in the Science Museum and showcasing both National Media Museum (NMeM) and Science Museum collections, will provide a space for the exhibition of visual media, surrounded by cultural spaces for exploring, discussing, testing and exhibiting creative technologies. Ian Blatchford Director As well as extending our national reach, we have also been raising our profile internationally. The NMeM’s excellent programme of touring photography exhibitions continued this year with Drawings that Move: The Art of Joanna Quinn touring to the Czech Republic and Simon Roberts: We English on show in France. Locomotives from the NRM’s world-renowned collection are regularly on loan across the country and this year steam locomotive number 563 left Locomotion on a 3500-mile journey to Canada to be the star of the production of The Railway Children in Toronto. Expertise from NRM staff was sought this year by the Sierra Leone National Railway Museum, which 7 SMG Annual Report and Accounts 2011−12 1.2 Science Museum Our objectives A collaboration with Professor Stephen Hawking also gave visitors the opportunity to view previously unseen The Science Museum’s mission is to make sense of the objects and papers from his personal archives and science that shapes our lives. This commitment drives included a specially commissioned iPad portrait by artist everything we do. Through our world-class collections David Hockney. The bringing together of contemporary of historical objects, galleries, interactive experiences art and science continued, with the work of artists Conrad and learning programmes we aim to be the leading Shawcross, Suzanne Treister and Electroboutique bringing international museum championing the understanding, a different perspective to our collections. Also bringing enjoyment and prestige of science in modern society. To fresh insight to our collections were our newly appointed achieve this, our key objectives this year were to deliver: Inventor in Residence, Artist in Residence and Writer in • An inspirational offer Residence as well as our Ten Climate Stories throughout • A peerless collection the ground floor of the Museum. • An unmatched experience A series of festivals designed to increase visitor numbers • A dedication to learning during traditionally quiet periods proved successful this • A commitment to excellence year. Our four-day Robotville festival, Player live gaming weekend and Stitched Science event drew enthusiastic Our audiences audiences, along with some high-profile coverage. We also continued our themed holidays with our Spend The Science Museum is a favourite with families: 53% of Your Summer in Space campaign and Robots month at our daytime Museum visitors come in family groups. We Christmas. Fascinating new objects such as a new display are the most popular free school-trip destination in the of a piece of Moon rock and the ‘time-eating’ Midsummer UK, and 14% of our visitors come in education groups. Chronophage clock intrigued audiences. Adults visiting independently, who come to see the collection, reflect on science issues, engage their minds or On-site scientific research and demonstrations around the simply to see the Museum, make up 33% of our audience. latest science and technology form an integral part of our For many visitors to the capital the Museum is a must-visit programme. Live Science collaborations with scientists destination, with 32% of our general admissions visitors and universities created opportunities for visitors to test from overseas and 27% from outside of London and the out simulated surgery and support research through Southeast. 3D imaging of the face. Interactive scientific exploration also continued in Lotto Lab, with students taking part in research to deepen our understanding of human Our achievements perception. Our role in promoting contemporary science and engineering was recognised by the launch of the new This year the Science Museum welcomed 2.95 million Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering by Prime Minister visitors, achieving our highest annual