Collections Skills Initiative 2012/2013 Rebecca Gordon From as far back as I can remember, I have always had a keen interest in both local and world history. This resulted in a love of visiting museums. After completing a degree in Modern History, I decided to enrol in a Masters in Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies. At the same time, I volunteered to work in both the history department at the Ulster Coaches: Museum and at Down County museum, in order to gain practical experience in a museum. Shirin Murphy and Jayne Clarke Whilst volunteering, I became aware of the Collections Skills Initiative and I was eager to secure a place to acquire skills in collections care and exhibition design. My placement was at Mid-Antrim museum, Ballymena but I also worked across the sites at Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus. A considerable amount of my time was taken up with conducting a collections audit and condition survey of over 200 artefacts from 1914-1916. It was my task to ensure they were all fully documented on MODES. I began at my computer then visited our three sites. I completed object entry forms, applied accession numbers and identified their location in storage. With all this information updated, I produced a report for the ‘On the Brink’ project team and made recommendations on which artefacts should be used in forthcoming exhibitions. Working closely with other staff, I helped to set up three exhibitions entitled ‘Titanic: Honour and Glory’ ‘Megaliths of Northern Ireland’ and ‘The Project of Plantation’. Here I gained various skills, including label writing, object handling and placement and display design. I was also closely involved in object unpacking and repacking, object entry and exit documentation. I enjoyed being in this busy atmosphere, which saw museum professionals and technical staff working together to meet deadlines and expectations. At Sentry Hill, I was responsible for documenting, digitising and accessioning letters from 1914 and 1915. The correspondences were from Tom McKinney to his father, grandfather, aunt and sister, sent whilst he was fighting in France during World War One. Reading these letters has given me an insight into how the McKinney family lived and I enjoyed connecting with history in that way, whilst furthering my skills in handling delicate paper items. I was also able to help the Education officer with a school group of Primary 6 students, by Collectionsfacilitating a workshop on World War Two. The formal training days helped build knowledge to take back and apply in our host Skillsmuseums, both now and in the future. A highlight of the year was the Learning Forums which allowed all twelve delegates to get know each other better, and gave us the opportunity to visit other sites involved in the CSI project. We met other museum staff and Initiativeobserved their practices. 2012/13 The aims of the Collections Contents 01 Skills Initiative are: Foreword 02 To provide valuable training and Nuala McCarthy 04 practical experience in working National Trust: Mount Stewart with collections Sarah Kingston 06 Ulster Mueum: History Department To promote skills-sharing and Daniel Taylor 08 sustainability through on-the-job Ballymoney Museum training Joanne Burns 10 National Museums Northern Ireland To assist museums in developing Rebecca Gordon 12 coaching skills, work experience Mid Antrim Museum Service placements and collections care Charlotte McReynolds 14 projects Armagh County Museum Dr Robert Whan 16 To enhance pathways into working Newry & Mourne Museum in the museum sector Janine Diamond 18 Ulster American Folk Park Elaine McEnarney 20 FE McWilliam Gallery and Studio Karen Logan 22 History Department: Ulster Museum Heather Taylor 24 Derry City Council Heritage & Museum Service Claire Dalton 26 Art Department: Ulster Museum Foreword 03 This publication highlights the work of the twelve participants on the second Collections Skills Initiative, delivered in Northern Ireland during 2013, and marks their achievement in successfully completing the programme. It also reflects the benefits made possible by the on-going partnership between the Northern Ireland Museums Council (NIMC) and National Museums Northern Ireland (NMNI). The overall aims of the programme were to provide training and experience in collections care, management, interpretation and research, thereby enhancing the pathways to working in the museum sector and ensuring that museums have an appropriately skilled workforce for the future. Six placements were based in NMNI and six in local museums – Ballymoney Museum, Derry Museum & Heritage Service, F.E. McWilliam Gallery, Mid-Antrim Museum Service, Mount Stewart (National Trust) and Newry & Mourne Museum – and we offer our sincere thanks to the staff and governing bodies of these museums for acting as hosts. While on placement, each trainee received continuous training and support from their project coach, an experienced practitioner already working in the host museum. The success of the programme is due in no small measure to their patience, dedication, professionalism and generosity. This success has also been underpinned by the guidance and support provided by Clora Gallagher, Project Officer based at NIMC, Nicola Thompson (Head of Organisational Development, NMNI) and Heather McGuicken (NIMC) on the Advisory Group, as well as the various NMNI staff who delivered the training. Special thanks must go to Siobhan Stevenson (Head of Collections Care, NMNI) who, as the CSI Training Co-ordinator, designed the training content in conjunction with NMNI colleagues, Clifford Harkness and Hannah Crowdy. Of course, while the programme was conceived and delivered through the NIMC-NMNI partnership, it would not have been possible without the vision and funding of the Heritage Lottery Fund. We wish, therefore, to express our gratitude to them for their invaluable support. The success of the Collections Skills Initiative is demonstrated by the fact that eleven of the twelve participants on the first programme are now working in the museum sector. We are hopeful that, equipped with their new skills and knowledge, alongside their own commitment and application, the individuals whose work is highlighted here will have similar prospects. We wish them every success for the future. Jim McGreevy Chris Bailey Director of Collections and Interpretation, NMNI Director, NIMC Nuala McCarthy 05 I had been working at the Ulster Museum as a visitor guide since its reopening in 2009, and had just been accepted to do a MA in Preventive Conservation, when I saw the advertisement for the Collections Skills Initiative. I was aware that the National Trust was investing in a major restoration and conservation project and I saw the CSI programme as an opportunity to gain an accredited qualification and practical experience in the care and conservation of historical objects. Coach: Having secured my placement at Mount Stewart, I started on a journey of learning and discovery Louise Newstead with NIMC and Mount Stewart House. This was to prove to be as intense in its application as it was in its diversity of subjects. My day began by working with the house team, preparing the show rooms for public tours. Key responsibilities included inspecting the condition of each collection, taking the Lux and RH readings and ensuring that the objects and furniture were dust free. I also carried out weekly checks of pest control boxes and air pollution in the newly-built storage spaces. My work with the project conservator and project team involved decanting the contents of rooms being prepared for restoration, then packing, transporting and storing all historical items. The Mount Stewart collection comprises a huge range of materials, so I gained considerable experience in the handling and packing of items ranging from delicate porcelain, to bulky 18th century mahogany wardrobes. One of my projects involved undertaking a detailed examination of every item in the Dining Room collection. Using the National Trust Condition Report document, I noted the condition of each item and reported any signs of deterioration. This meant physically examining each item and drawing a sketch to highlight any areas and types of deterioration. The room contained hundreds of objects, from salad forks to full-length family portraits. Knowledge gained from my lectures in this area proved hugely helpful. During my time with the project conservation team, I gained invaluable experience in preventive and remedial conservation and environmentally controlled storage of historical objects. I worked with furniture experts, chandelier experts, textile experts, paintings and gilding experts. Throughout this time, the project curator was a constant source of direction and information. I also participated in a Conservation Interpretation Project, as part of the National Trust’s Conservation in Action Programme. This programme encourages members of the public to explore and understand how conservation works. I worked with the Project Conservator, the Project Curator, the Regional Head of Visitor Experience This has been an exceptional year. It has given me an and my coach, the House and Collections Manager. I had to liaise with external suppliers, such as panel makers and graphic designers and arrange displays in the main entrance hall of the house. I unparalleled opportunity to work in an exquisite environment also created an audiovisual exhibition about the on-going project works. and be guided by expert and generous teachers, all of whom I thank most sincerely. Sarah Kingston 07 I came to CSI fresh out of my Masters in Cultural Policy and Arts Management at UCD Dublin. This opened my eyes to the possibilities museums present for people to engage with history and culture in meaningful ways. CSI would provide me with thorough practical experience in curatorial work and I saw it as a wonderful opportunity to launch my career in the museum sector. The CSI training scheme did not disappoint. In the first quarter, we were given training in all the Coach: practical elements of museum work. Most of the learning happened on the job.