Independence Special

This morning we know the result of the Scottish independence referendum - they bottled it! It was a weird referendum when the independence movement was arguing that the best bits of the union would be preserved by leaving it and the unionist side pushing increased Scottish autonomy by staying in the union. So you could argue that the nationalists won when they lost. A suitable topic for debate in the pub this evening after a few pints.

However, if you want strength of purpose wrapped in romantic wishful thinking then look no further than the museum sector. So is it the time, at last, for museums to also declare independence from government interference and the vicissitudes of the political expediency. In fact we will be better together separately. So I am going to start a petition to create the Democratic Republic of Museums (DRUM).

Out manifesto? Inspired by the SNP (www.snp.org/vision) - with minor improvements

Better Museums
Museums can be more successful. In DRUM's first four year term, we will have record school visits, shorter waiting times in our cafeterias and reduced crime in temporary exhibition spaces. This is only a start. There is so much more we want to achieve for our museums. So much more to do to create the sort of museums we all know they can be. Now is a time for museums to keep moving forward, and if we do, prosperity and accreditation will come.

Wealthier Museums
“Creating and protecting jobs is at the very top of our agenda for the next four years”
In the years ahead DRUM will be working hard to deliver new jobs and new opportunities for museum professionals young and old. As we take the first steps on the road to recovery, our vision for museums is of a sector that increasingly benefits from high-paid and high quality jobs in the emerging initiatives, like digital interactives, WW1 commemorations and collection disposal.

Healthier Museums
“I want you to visit safely and quickly”
Our vision is of a museum service that continues to deliver fast interpretation, as baffling to you as possible. The hard work of our staff over these past years has seen visitor numbers fall to record lows and we have pledged to continue this progress.

Greener Museums
Rural communities that are well served, with a vibrant local museums, and which have new and growing collections. (Unfortunately I'd misunderstood the idea of greener museums and bought industrial quantities of army surplus green paint - any buyers? Anybody?)

Fairer Museums

“My ambition is to deliver continuing reductions in visitors by maintaining the extra police in our museums”
Levels of crime in museums are now at a thirty five year low. However, fear of crime is not falling as quickly as crime levels and so over these next four years I want a particular focus on actions that will not only make you safer, but as importantly will make you feel safer in your local temporary exhibition space.

Smarter Museums
“Museum success will be built on education and the skills of our volunteers.”
My vision is of museums where more and more volunteers are able to fulfil their ambitions and take advantage of new opportunities in their work or in our stores. I want to see a Learning Museum, where volunteers strive to develop new labelling techniques, understand pest control systems and to push the limits of thermohydrographs.

Creative Museums
“Our vision is for museums that nurtures its creative talent and where creativity infuses all aspects of our life and work.”
Museums are blessed with a wealth of creativity and a cultural heritage that makes me proud to be a museum professional. Over the next 5 years, DRUM is determined to build a more vibrant sector with creativity recognised and promoted new support and encouragement to excel in what they do.

Does this all sound wonderful? Of course it does, so sign up as a YES and don't put up with bullying from Westminster and the MA/ACE/AIM etc. and march to the beat of a different DRUM .