Networks
SHARE Museums East supports a number of specialist networks. These self-managing forums support museum development in the East of England and have links to national specialists. They also help plan and deliver training events and other initiatives.
Collections Management Network
Network contact:
Rory McDaid
Documentation Manager, The Fitzwilliam Museum
The Collections Management Network supports museum colleagues who are involved, or interested, in matters relating to collections management, documentation and collections management systems. Collections management is a subject with a large overlap with other collection-based disciplines so our group’s collective interests can be wide ranging – so whether it’s peer support, looking for some consensus on the use of termlists, or a general chat about databases and how others might use them, then come join us.
Conservation Network
Network contact:
Deborah Walton
University of Cambridge Museums Regional Conservation Officer
The Conservation Network supports conservators in their work by facilitating information sharing and skills development. This regional programme compliments national opportunities such as those provided by our professional body ICON and works in partnership with the East Anglian Conservators Forum. We also co-ordinate a regional e-mail group and provide access to training and information about conservation and collections care for conservators. We disseminate information and resources to the wider museums community across the East of England, supporting SHARE Museums East’s programmes.
Tel: 01223 761220
Email Deborah Walton
Subscribe to Conservation Network to be notified of upcoming events
Costume & Textile Network
Network contact:
Claire Reed
Collections and Conservation Manager, Southend Museum Service
The Costume & Textile Network (CTN) is SHARE Museum East’s oldest and most active network, with strong national links. It supports the development of accessible and engaging museums via projects that help improve collections care, display techniques and knowledge. The network provides access to information regionally and nationally and is working to establish a forum for the sharing of local issues and the development of curatorial practice.
Fundraising Network
Network contact:
Lucy Maxwell – Suffolk Museum Project Officer
SHARE Museums East Fundraising Network is an informal network of people involved in fundraising in museums in the region. Whether you’re a staff member, volunteer or trustee, if you do any kind of fundraising as part of your role, we’d love you to join our mailing list and/or WhatsApp group, and come along to our next virtual meet-up.
Formed in 2021, our aim is to work together to support one another in our roles. There’ll be opportunities for training, networking, and peer-to-peer sharing of best practice and worst mistakes (!).
Contact Lucy Maxwell to find out more and get involved.
Heritage Engineering Network
Network contact:
Terry Bendall
The Heritage Engineering Network supports the management and delivery of specialised skills in museums and other bodies who carry out working activities with machinery in the area of industrial heritage. The network offers training and events including a regular HEN meeting.
We encourage all volunteers and staff with interest in the use and management of heritage machinery to join the network.
To subscribe to the mailing list click here.
Museums and Communities East (MACE) Network
Network contact:
Eleanor Root
This network is for museum staff and volunteers who have a particular interest in working with their communities (existing and new) to co-produce and co-create exhibitions and events and more. Born of a SHARE Co-production Cohort, this new network welcomes new members to join them in championing co-production. Meetings will consider the practicalities, problems philosophy, ethics and rewards of deepening community participation.
Museum Managers Network
Network contact:
Elie Hughes, Ely Museum and Jasmine Allen, Stained Glass Museum
This network provides support and professional development opportunities tailored to the needs of those who are the sole professional managing a museum. Their role may have one of many different titles but their responsibility lies across all areas of museum work. They often manage volunteers and usually report directly to a Board. The network provides a safe sounding board, support group and resource hub for its members as well as the chance to break out of the isolation that can often come with running a museum single handed.
Natural History Network
Network contact:
Sophie Stevens
Curator of Collections and Learning at CIMS (Colchester and Ipswich Museums)
The Natural History Network supports natural history curators, conservators and learning officers in their work and facilitates information sharing. The network also co-ordinates regional email group and provides access to training and information about collections care, legal issues, display techniques, storage and bulk purchasing.
Tel: 01206 282931
Email Sophie Stevens
Regional Learning Network
Network contact:
Jamie Everitt
Regional Museum Development Manager
The Regional Learning Network brings together people who have a leadership role in the area of museum learning, including people who manage learning teams and conveners of sub-regional learning networks. The network also runs an annual conference, held in March.
For more information, including meeting dates, contact the network coordinator.
Tel: 01603 493654
Mobile: 07778 506885
Email Jamie
Retail e-network
Network contact:
Sally Ackroyd
Museum Development Project Officer (Leadership & Resilience)
This network has moved to an email discussion group in 2023. Anyone involved in museum retail can ask each other for examples, ideas, solutions, or advice.
In addition, the SHARE team will occasionally send items to the group with any specific news which looks relevant to museum shops.
If you work in museum retail and would like to join, please let us know, with just your name, museum, role and email address.
Open to paid staff, volunteers and trustees.
Trustee e-network
Network contact:
Sally Ackroyd
Museums Project Officer (Resilience and Leadership)
This network functions via an email discussion group. Trustees can ask each other for examples, ideas, solutions, or advice.
In addition, the SHARE team send items to the group with news of support (generally free!) which we can offer to Trustees.
It is a closed group, only open to museum trustees in our region, and Museum Development Officers from SHARE, and from each county.
If you would like to join, please let us know, with just your name, museum, role and email address.
Volunteer Co-ordinators Forum
Network contact:
Niki Hughes
Opening Doors Project Coordinator, University of Cambridge Museums
This forum is for anyone whose role involves co-ordinating a volunteer programme and managing volunteers at a museum or heritage site in the East of England. The VCF meets quarterly and events include a mix of national and local speakers, peer support and networking opportunities.
Network Resources
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