Northern Ireland Museums Council Launches Museum Trends Survey to Inform Sectoral Strategy
January 30, 2024The Northern Ireland Museums Council (NIMC) is pleased to announce the launch of the Museum Trends Survey, a comprehensive initiative aimed at assessing the local museum sector in Northern Ireland, and gathering crucial data to inform organisational strategy, research, and advocacy efforts.
As the leading advocacy body for the museum sector in Northern Ireland, NIMC recognises the importance of understanding the operational dynamics of its member museums. The Museum Trends Survey is designed to provide both quantitative and qualitative insights into the workings of local museums, empowering NIMC to effectively advocate for their social, cultural, and economic value, as well as secure the necessary resources to support a productive and innovative local museum sector.
Why the Museum Trends Survey is Essential:
The survey is a vital tool for NIMC to identify strategic challenges faced by the sector collectively, fostering a collaborative approach to address them. By gathering up-to-date information, NIMC aims to enhance its ability to advocate for the needs of museums, ensuring that they receive the support required for their continued success.
What is being surveyed:
The survey, covering the period from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, addresses three overarching themes aligned with the UK Museum Accreditation standard:
Organisational Health: Encompassing workforce, finance, infrastructure, and strategic outlook.
Managing Collections: Focusing on collection scope, development, and management.
Users and their Experiences: Exploring audience and digital engagement, as well as overall impact.
The survey, which aligns with the UK Museum Accreditation framework, encourages participation from unaccredited museums, ensuring a comprehensive representation of the sector.
How the survey will be completed:
Museum Trends will be delivered through Citizen Space, the online survey software widely employed by the government for public consultations. Museum managers will shortly receive a link to the survey, in addition to a PDF version of the survey questionnaire.
How the Museum Trends data will be used:
Data collected will form the basis of a comprehensive Museum Trends Survey Report, providing insights into the overall state of the sector. The information will guide NIMC’s research, planning, and advocacy work.
The survey incorporates statistical analysis methods, including Analysis of Variance and regression analysis, enabling NIMC to make conclusive and persuasive statements about sectoral trends over time. Importantly, the data will not be used to rank or compare individual museums, emphasising the survey’s aim to establish a baseline from which NIMC can act in the best interests of the sector.
In summary, the Museum Trends Survey is a pivotal step in shaping the future of Northern Ireland’s local museum sector, ensuring its continued growth, resilience, and societal impact.
For any immediate queries regarding the Museum Trends Survey, or to register your interest in completing the survey, please contact NIMC at 02890 550215 or via email at info@nimc.co.uk.