To consider any communications to be submitted by the Mayor or the Chief Executive.
Minutes:
Arts Fund Museum of the Year 2021 – Letter of Congratulation
The Executive Director Core Services, in the absence of the Chief Executive, reported the receipt of a letter from Jenny Waldman, Director and Chair of Judges for the Museum of the Year 2021 which he read to the Council as follows:
‘I am writing formally to congratulate Experience Barnsley on being a finalist for the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2021. As you know, we had a record-breaking number of entries and drawing up the shortlist of only five finalists was no easy feat. You then responded to your inclusion on the list with all the energy, enthusiasm and imagination befitting for one of the finest museums in the UK today. Thank you.
May I also extend my heartfelt thanks, and those of my fellow judges, for arranging such an enjoyable and enlightening visit to the museum. We had an excellent day and having the opportunity to meet your very talented team was a real honour.
Our final citation was as follows: ‘Experience Barnsley is a museum in the heart of the town, deeply committed to strengthening their local communities’ self-belief through bringing the history of Barnsley to life. The judges were particularly impressed by the outreach work, including people with dementia, refugees and those living with learning disabilities, and the extraordinary and deep impact of these programmes. An array of successful digital programmes sustained local communities through lockdown, while also bringing the museum and its collection to the attention of new audiences.
Thank you for the work you do and for such an inspiring entiry to Museum of the Year. Please do now sent an invoice to Amy Dickinson for your £15,000 finalist prize.
We look forward to continuing our work together in the future. Meanwhile my renewed congratulations and warmest wishes’.
Councillor Frost, Cabinet Support Member for Place (Regeneration and Culture) stated that whilst he was obviously disappointed that the Museum had not won, nevertheless to be shortlisted was a magnificent achievement. He expressed thanks to all staff and volunteers who had been involved and particularly for the work they had done during the Covid pandemic.
Councillor Sir Steve Houghton CBE (Leader of the Council) expressed his thanks to the Members of the Barnsley Heritage Museums Trust who were all volunteers for their help and support of Barnsley Museums and without whom, the Museums of the Borough would not be the top-class facilities that they were. He also expressed his thanks and appreciation to the staff of the Museums Service led by Sue Thiedeman for all their hard work and dedication. He then made reference to the visit by the Judges to Experience Barnsley and to the support given at that event by all staff and volunteers and to the groups who had showcased its achievements and success and he extended his thanks to all concerned.
The Mayor extended her own personal thanks and appreciation to all staff, volunteers and groups who were involved in Experience Barnsley.
The Mayor and Members of the Council expressed their thanks to all involved in the usual manner.