Kendal students on course for museum skills (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Kendal students on course for museum skills

10:09am Tuesday 28th August 2012 in Kendal news By Steven Bell, Senior Reporter

AN innovative new course for history buffs and aspiring archaeologists is to launch at Kendal Museum.

As part of the attraction’s educational programme, it will offer a Diploma in Curatorial Skills in partnership with Kendal College – the first of its kind in the area.

The level three 10-month course leads to a nationally-recognised qualification and is aimed at people interested in a career in museums or those with a passion for culture and heritage.

It includes work in archaeology, natural history, geology, social history and museum management.

Museum education officer Anna Hall said: “We are delighted to be putting on this new course, which will give students the opportunity to develop skills and detailed knowledge of working in a cultural heritage venue, gaining an insight into the roles and responsibilities of a museum curator and the practical skills essential to run a museum.

“During their time here, students will get involved with and learn about cataloguing and conservation, building of educational resources such as loan boxes, for use by schools, exhibition design and other skills that contribute towards making a successful operational museum.”

The museum has recruited school leavers, graduates looking for prac-tical experience and people currently volunteering or working part time at similar venues.

Comprising 10 hours of compulsory training per week at the museum, students will also be expected to undertake coursework independently.

The diploma is designed for anyone wishing to pursue careers in everything from conserving beetles or ancient ceramics to designing exhibitions.

Rebecca Willmott, 24, is one of ten people starting the course on Monday.

“It looks a good course for learning about working in museums,” said Rebecca, of Lancaster. “It will give me a really good practical experience of the museum.”

Kendal Museum is managed by Kendal College as part of a ten-year agreement with South Lakeland District Council, which will see the museum expand its educational opportunities.

Ms Hall added: “Last year we introduced an apprenticeship in cultural heritage and our first student has just completed her qualification and gained a permanent position here.

“We hope this new course will give others who may be interested in a career working in museums or other heritage venues the opportunity to launch a career or give them the experience and confidence to progress.”