About this event

The past five years have been challenging for everyone in the museums sector; we’re still feeling the impact of the pandemic, we’ve weathered energy and cost-of-living-crises, and continue to operate in an increasingly bleak economic environment. You may be having tough discussions about whether your museum survives or closes, and how you can plan for either eventuality.

The Association of Independent Museums (AIM) publication ‘The Next Horizon? The practicalities of turnaround and closure’ (2025) aims to support museums considering turnaround or closure due to challenging circumstances.

Join Museum Development Midlands (MDM) and the authors, Ruth Lesirge and Hilary Barnard, HBRL Consulting, for this two-hour interactive workshop for senior leaders and museum trustees who are currently exploring potential next steps in challenging times.

The workshop will provide the opportunity to get more in-depth support from Ruth and Hilary in a confidential and safe environment, with a small number of other Midlands museums also facing challenges.

The objectives of the workshop are:

To provide tailored, in-depth consideration of the issues your museum may be facing
Help you identify who is and/or should be addressing the financial and organisational challenges posed
Explore how to apply ‘The Next Horizon? The practicalities of turnaround and closure’ guidance to your situation and next steps

You do not need to attend Ruth and Hilary’s briefing session in October in order to secure a place for this workshop; both are intended to be stand alone events.

The event will be delivered via MDM’s Zoom account using a range of exercises and interactive features including Chat and Breakout Rooms, and will include a short break. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and actively participate in discussion.

If you have any concerns about accessibility or usability for these features please contact enquiries@mdmidlands.org.uk

This event supports the Arts Council England Dynamism Investment Principle

About the trainer

Ruth Lesirge and Hilary Barnard are the founders of HBRL Consulting. They are the co-authors of

Successful Museum Governance (AIM 2020) and the AIM guide to the 2022 Charities Act. They specialise in governance, strategy, and leadership and organisational development, including mergers and partnerships, for museums and heritage organisations, charities and not for profit organisations.

Both Ruth and Hilary are consultants on AIM’s Aim Higher Programme, which supports board development to strengthen governance https://aim-museums.co.uk/programmes/aim-higher/

Further details of their consultancy work can be found at www.hilarybarnard.com

Who should attend?

The training is aimed at senior leaders and museum trustees in organisations facing challenge or change and in need of support. No prior experience or knowledge is necessary.

Maximum two delegates per organisation. Please note, places are strictly limited for this event and priority will be given to non-NPO and non-national museums in the Midlands who are Accredited or Working Towards Accreditation. Non-priority bookings will be placed on a waitlist and offered any remaining places once booking has closed.

Please note: We require you to complete the full booking form in order to confirm your eligibility for the session. The main booking form questions will appear after you have been through the 'check out' process. If you do not complete this form we will be in contact and reserve the right to cancel your ticket if we do not receive a response.

Need further support?

MDM’s Stronger Museum Programme can also provide 1-to-1 and intensive support if your museum is undergoing significant challenge or change. You can read more about our Strong Museums programme here [hyper link to Stronger Museums page]

Accessibility

This event will be auto-captioned through Zoom. If you would benefit from any other form of access support, including live captioning, please answer ‘yes’ to the access requirements question on the booking form and email the MDM team as early as possible stating the support you require.

All participants will receive an email containing a Zoom link to the training prior to the event. The email will be sent to the email address used for booking. If you have not received an email the day before the event please contact us.

Important Information

https://mdmidlands.org.uk/code-of-conduct

https://mdmidlands.org.uk/booking-terms-and-conditions

Contact Us

If you need any further information or would like to speak to a member of the team please contact us:

Enquiries@mdmidlands.org.uk

01952 435 943

AIM ‘The Next Horizon?’ Turnaround and Closure: Workshop