New free resources to help you run a successful, sustainable museum, created by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and the Marches Network of Museum Development Officers.

l Film Friendly Museums

l The Tourism Economy and Museums

l Running a profitable Retail Department

l Using Live Interpretation

Regarded as one of the country’s most entrepreneurial museums, the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, in partnership with the Marches Network of Museum Development Officers, has developed a series of lectures, training days and workshops to help museums across the Midlands and beyond capitalise on their own assets and become more resilient.

We do hope you can join us and we look forward to welcoming you to these events.

Anna BrennandChief Executive, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust

Now more than ever, museums need to look at their long - term sustainability and become ever more entrepreneurial.

All the events are free to attend.

For additional information and to make a reservation contact: Barbara Taylorbarbara.taylor@ironbridge.org.uk01952 435900www.ironbridge.org.uk

The Marches Network of Museum Development Officers directly supports and advises museums across the West Midlands at local and regional levels.

The MDO’s “Making the Most of....” programme is working with the Ironbridge Gorge Museums, through their Entrepreneurial Museum programme to provide complementary support and follow up advice throughout 2014 - 2015.

For more details on this and other support from your local MDO visit:Marches Network site http://marchesnetwork.org.uk/andMarches Network Events site http://marchesnetworkmdoevents.eventbrite.co.uk

The Marches Network

The Marches Network: acting collectively to strengthen our museums.

How to make your museum Film FriendlyThurs 27 Feb 2014 10am - 4pmThe Studio, 7 Cannon Street, Birmingham

Allowing your museum to be used as a film location can provide not only new income streams, but also result in publicity generated by the final production. This one day workshop will help you understand how you can maximise on the opportunity of welcoming film crews to your site, avoid costly mistakes and reassure your curatorial colleagues.

Expert speakers includeMr Harvey Edgington National Trust Broadcast & Media Manager

Filming with The Antiques Roadshow at Blists Hill Victorian Town

Filming a business programme with a contestant from The Apprentice

The Best Western Valley Hotel, Ironbridge

Victorian Fairground at Blists Hill Victorian Town

The Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site Playing your part in the

Tourism EconomyTues 18th Mar 2014 10am - 4pmEnginuity, Coalbrookdale, Telford

Visiting museums and galleries is high on the priority list of both domestic and international visitors. During this one day workshop you will gain an understanding of how the tourism industry is structured, how to engage with it, its importance from a strategic and political perspective and practical guidelines on how to attract tourists.

Expert speakers includeLouise Stewart Strategy & Development DirectorVisitEngland

From Our Collections,developed at Ironbridge Gorge Museum

Running a profitable Retail DepartmentTues 11 March 2014 10am - 4pmEnginuity, Coalbrookdale, Telford

A gift shop is an expected part of any museum visit, but all too often they do not perform as well as they could. This one day workshop will look at how museums can maximise profits by developing their own retail brands and products, by learning from the high street and by ensuring the whole customer experience is focused and targeted.

Expert speakers includeJayne CartwrightCharity Retail Consultancy

Made in The Gorge, an example of best practice

This range is inspired by the Designated Collections, Monuments and Architecture of The IRONBRIDGE GORGE MUSEUM TRUST Limited

Nikki Williams Bowl, Kinki Glass

The Victorian Pharmacy at Blists Hill Victorian Town

Back to school at the turn of the last century

Actors stage Special Events

An online guide to First and Third Person InterpretationAvailable from April 2014

Whether you run an open air museum, a small art gallery or a historic house, Live Interpretation can greatly improve the visitor experience. This online guide will give you an understanding of how to deliver successful first and third person interpretation and avoid some of the pitfalls.

Expert speakers includeTraci Dix-WilliamsDirector of Operations, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust

Gill JordanDirector of Sundial Theatre

The IRONBRIDGE GORGE MUSEUM TRUST Limited Coalbrookdale Telford Shropshire TF8 7DQTel 01952 435900 www.ironbridge.org.uk