CC(3) VS34

The Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales
Ffederasiwn Amgueddfeydd ac Orielau Celf Cymru

The Federation is the organisation for all museum workers, both paid and voluntary in Wales. It exists to promote good practice in the museums and galleries across the country and to provide a forum for discussion of museum issues affecting members

The Communities and Culture Committee Enquiry:Funding of Voluntary Sector Organisations

Voluntary sector bodies run half of the Accredited museums in Wales. They run a wide range of independent museums across the country and provide a focus for community activity. Recent research by CyMAL has highlighted that volunteers run most of these museums.

1. Ease or difficulty of obtaining funding.

It is fortunate that funding is available from CyMAL, the Welsh Assembly Government Division, to support the work of voluntary sector museums. Whilst there are issues of having the capacity to actually apply for grants, grant aid is usually available for eligible projects from this source. Grants are also available from other Welsh Assembly Government sources but the issue here is that they not be obvious to the voluntary museum sector.

2. Ease or difficulty in complying with constraints or conditions

Funding is only on a small scale and conditions are fair and reasonable. However complex conditions can be off putting for small organisations. There are also often difficulties in complying with timetables and there is no flexibility at all when projects over run. Whilst CyMAL is sympathetic it is bound by financial rules. Voluntary organisations normally run entirely by volunteers can have considerable difficulty with the management of temporary staff, and in the financial management of grants when paperwork is complex.

3. Issues related to the duration and timing of funding.

Funding is almost always short term. There are many examples of good work done and then funding stops. It is usually impossible to find funding from any other sources.  Timing of grant programmes needs to be more flexible and allowance made for the difficulties voluntary organisations have with capacity.

4. Any other comments

Funding bodies need to recognise the capacity issues with voluntary sector bodies (often run entirely by volunteers). Funding opportunities may not be available to the smallest bodies by default as a result.

John Marjoram
Development Officer
29.11.2007

john@arenig.demon.co.uk