Curatorial Advisers

The Curatorial Adviser Network in the East of England (CAN) represents a group of museum professionals who have volunteered their time, either as part of their job, or in their free time, to support the work of smaller museums who do not directly employ professional museum staff.

CAN is part of the Renaissance East of England programme, and is co-ordinated by the Regional Officer - Museums & Standards based at MLA East of England.

CAs are integral to the Museum Accreditation Scheme, ensuring smaller, often voluntary museums receive dedicated one to one, professional support to their activities, in addition to the range of skills on offer from existing volunteers. Museums are also supported by Museum Development Officers, who can undertake the role of CA, but who also support other colleagues.

There are currently 52 curatorial advisers in the East of England providing advice to 77 organisations.

CAs provide general professional advice to their partnered organisation(s), and can access specialist advice and support which is available through the Renaissance SHARE programme. This programme seeks to make available specialist skills and knowledge, in all areas of museum work, to colleagues in other museums meeting or working towards the Accreditation standard.

During the CAN meeting in March 2007, CAs identified the need for a forum where current issues could be explored and where experience and good practice could be shared. The CAN Forum is a response by MLA East of England to this need, and will be hosted on the MLA East of England website, and moderated by the Regional Officer - Museums & Standards.

The forum is accompanied by a series of documents to provide support to curatorial advisers, which can be downloaded below.

CA Documents
CAN Contact list
Conservation Checklist (to follow)
SHARE Information Sheet
Business & Sustainability Toolkit (to Follow)