Enterprising Museums

Enterprising Museums is a programme of activity supporting museums to review current approaches to enterprise within their organisation and assisting them to implement realistic plans for further entrepreneurial practice.

The programme is being delivered over two years by Black Radley Ltd and is helping North East museums to become more business focussed, demonstrating:

• Increased entrepreneurial practice and activity;
• Reduced dependency on current funding sources;
• Ability to identify and develop new sources of income.

These museums were supported in 2015/16 to develop commercial opportunities, business confidence and entrepreneurial skills:

• Preston Park Museum
• Sunderland Museums
• Hartlepool Museums
• Middlesbrough Museums
• Bailiffgate Museum (Alnwick)

Each participant reported positive progress in their organisation. Examples of this progress included:

• More team and personal motivation;
• More responsive systems;
• Better understanding of commercial best practice;
• Clearer strategic focus.

Support will continue in to 2016/17 to build on the work of the previous year and to ensure that Year 1 museums are supported to realise recommendations and implement effective performance management. We will also be extending the programme, providing opportunities for more museums to participate and offering seminars that will cover relevant themes/topics.

The Association for Cultural Enterprises (ACE) Cultureshop.tv - a series of 10 short films, linked to the ACE's Retail Resilience Programme.