WIREDGOV

Five free ‘Best Practice’ workshops to help preserve and improve culture services in challenging times are being launched in February and March 2010 for sector professions. The interactive workshops will look at new models of working, teams, budgets and collaborations to develop innovative, integrated and sustainable services for all.

The harsh economic climate will test professionals across the culture sector and to help them, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) is launching a series of five, free 'Best Practice' workshops throughout February and March 2010. These interactive workshops will look at doing more with less by exploring new models of working, finances, collaborations and communities; to try to preserve and improve the best services. The workshops are designed to inspire sector professionals with examples of how to make the most of their budgets, teams and collections to develop innovative, integrated and sustainable services for all.

MLA Chief Executive Roy Clare said, "The pressures facing cultural services have never been greater. The MLA offers a range of expertise, support networks, resources and ideas to enable funding organisations to work out better ways to maintain an outstanding tailored service for their communities. In these challenging times people right across the country need access to culture, the arts and sport as a refuge from daily life."

Run by Culture Unlimited on behalf of the MLA, the one day workshops are aimed at all Heads of Services and Programme Managers from museums, archives and libraries, with speakers from across the sectors. Sessions will be made up of inspirational talks, group discussions and interactive workshops that will culminate in an in-depth focus on personal planning and daily action for each participant

Vicky Brightman from the Horniman Museum said, "The workshops will give us an opportunity to explore ways to accommodate possible reductions in budget, without sacrificing the quality of service for our diverse visitors? It will also give us a chance to identify some of the tough decisions that we may need to make to sustain our services."

More information about the day's programme, speakers and booking your place, please email batool.khan@mla.gov.uk or log onto http://www.mla.gov.uk/what/events/best_pratice_workshops

Notes to Editors:

1. There are limited spaces on the workshops with a maximum 30 places.
2. The workshops will run from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm with lunch included.
3. To reserve a place, please email batool.khan@mla.gov.uk and let her know which event you would like to attend and if you have any dietary requirements. Batool will then send you more information.