Agenda item

The Director of Tourism and Culture submits an overview report on the progress in relation to the Arts Council NPO fund.

The Director Tourism, Culture & Inward Investment submitted a report providing an overview of the museum service’s National Portfolio Organisation programme which is funded by Arts Council England.

Councillor Clarke, Deputy City Mayor for Climate, the Head of Arts and Museums, the Audience Development & Engagement Manager and the Finance & Project Manager introduced the report. 

The Deputy City Mayor for Climate, Economy and Culture noted that the Museum Service was a service that could be looked on with pride, especially in the way it reflected the city.

A presentation was given outlining the use of National Portfolio Organisation funding from Arts Council England, plans for new galleries, exhibitions and schemes, including the Climate Change Gallery at Leicester Museum and Art Gallery (LMAG), the ‘Healthier Happier City’ initiative and a programme of free activities aimed at helping with the cost of living.  The presentation also looked at engagement with volunteers and volunteer development.

The Chair thanked the officers for their work, particularly how museums and culture could be used in different ways and noted that the service could be proud of the work they do, especially given that other Councils were cutting such services.

In response to questions, the Commission was informed that:

•  National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) capital funding was being applied for, the criteria of which involved environmental issues and involving communities on co-production work.  This was part of a broader capital programme which included the Climate Change Gallery at LMAG.  This was an important subject both for the Council and for the city.  It was added that the exhibition should have a unique Leicester connection rather than being about climate change in general.  It was acknowledged that the city had heritage in terms of attitude and commitment to the environment including healthy spaces, clean air and the way the city was designed which could be put forward within the gallery.   The co-production element should allow for anybody who wanted to be a part of it having an opportunity to contribute.
• In terms of partners to work with, subject to NLHF funding being approved the project would then require further work in this area.  The co-production approach sought the views of the community.  If an expression of interest for the lottery funding went forward, a development stage application would be submitted for a development grant so that more work could be done on the project, including forming partnerships.  A number of partners in the city and regionally were being considered.
• With regard to reaching communities for volunteers and training volunteers, the work was ongoing.  There was a three-year funding programme, the plans for the first year had been laid out, but it was planned to develop in the following two years.  It was aimed to recruit up to 350 volunteers.  However, this would need to be the cap due to the turnover of volunteers.  The training programme involved a range of aspects of museums work, for example at events or in conservation.
• The largest community event had been the Riverside Festival and the Museum Service had a presence there with a stall of volunteers showcasing a photographic archive collection.  This had reached lots of participants.  Other events included events at the universities focussed on students, and three library-based events (the BRITE Centre, Fosse Library and Evington Library).
• Regarding off-site activities for older people, a conversation was underway with the Carers Centre working towards a creative project on what could be done to raise awareness of heritage issues for people with dementia and activities for people with dementia.  This was expected to be launched by April 2024.  Over the three-year run of funding it was hoped to work with people of all statuses and backgrounds to be inspired by cultural activity.

AGREED:

1.    That the report be noted.

2.    That the Museums Strategy be reported to the Commission once available.

3.    That progress on the National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) programme be monitored on a 12-monthly basis with an item coming to the Commission.