MD North Forum, The Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery, Rossendale, 6 November 2025
Our museum forums offer you “a professional day out” – a chance to catch up with your museum colleagues in the region, visit an interesting venue, get the most out of being at a site, hear some interesting case studies – and enjoy being out in a different museum with different colleagues!
Forums usually start with tea and coffee from 10am and introductions from 10:30am. A delicious, complimentary lunch is provided. Meetings usually finish around 3:30-4pm.
Every forum will involve a chance to view and discuss at least one aspect of the host site, hear short case studies from different speakers, and network with colleagues.
The theme for the day is community engagement and partnerships.
Agenda:
10:00-10:30 Arrival and Refreshments
10.30-10:45 MDN Welcome & Introduction to the day, Kaye Hardyman & Ali Criddle, Museum Development Advisers, Museum Development North
10:45-11:15 Sally Smith, Towneley Hall Manager and George Martin, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Towneley Hall, Burnley, Maintaining and developing volunteering through a major capital restoration project
11:15-11:45 Break-out activity
11:45-12:15 Rebecca Johnson, Arts and Heritage Manager and Alys Rouncefield, Outreach and Engagement Officer, Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery
12:15-12:45 Lunch
12:45-1:45 Tour, 2 groups starting 15 minutes apart
1:45-2:15 Gaynor Seville, Creative Director and Dr Gemma Outen, Programming and Engagement Manager, Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery, More than a House; A Home for Communities
2:15-2:45 Gillian Berry and Marney Dawson, Haworth Art Gallery
2:45-3.15 Closing Discussion, MDN Thanks & Signposting, Kaye Hardyman & Ali Criddle, Museum Development Advisers, Museum Development North
Whilst we hope there’s something in the plan for the day that appeals to you, we often find that it’s the unexpected and spontaneous conversations that spark most ideas and opportunities! So, join us for a refreshing, professional day out and see what fresh thinking you can gain.
Catering: As part of MD North’s commitment to environmental responsibility and carbon reduction, catering for our in-person events is vegetarian and vegan. We encourage you to bring a reusable hot drink cup and water bottle, and perhaps a Tupperware to take home any leftovers to minimise food waste.
Access: The meeting will be in the Old Stables event space which you can access from outside or via a platform lift inside. There are toilets at the back of the room and a disabled toilet in the adjoining café with lift access from reception. For more information view the Picture Guide.
Booking: Please only book if you are committed to attending, so that we give everyone a timely opportunity to book and remove the added paperwork required in dealing with cancellations. If for some reason you can no longer attend, please let us know asap so we can reallocate your place.
For more information, please contact: sue.hughes@museumdevelopmentnorth.org.uk.
Location
The Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery
Haslingden Road, Rossendale, England BB4 6RE