The University of Exeter and Cornwall Museums Partnership (CMP) have just renewed their partnership under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The collaborative working agreement, which establishes a framework for cooperation between the two heritage organisations, seeks to better understand, map and increase the impact of museums for their communities.

Cornwall Museums Partnership (CMP) is an independent charitable-incorporated organisation that was formed in 2015, which aims to provide leadership for Cornwall’s museums and support and represent them. CMP’s purpose is to create positive social change with museums, by developing and managing collaborative programmes of work which are designed to help museums raise standards, engage with more people and to be sustainable and resilient. Some of CMP’s current programmes include ‘Citizen Curators’: a work-based training programme in museum awareness and modern curatorial practice, and ‘Trainee Curators’: a programme that aims to diversify the cultural workforce in Cornish museums and historical sites by offering more accessible opportunities to young people.

Heritage work at the University of Exeter has been built on strong partnerships and external collaborations that improve research and teaching. In fostering relationships with external organisations, the university aims to benefit both society and the economy and contribute towards a thriving innovation ecosystem. At its core, the renewed MOU aims to promote knowledge, understanding and influence regional and national agendas that are relevant to each organisation’s activity. The collaborative work between the two organisations will bring new perspectives and ideas to research questions, sector problems and solutions. Further, it will build networks and access to new audiences, markets and innovative practice, products and processes, both nationally and internationally.

The agreement has ten clear goals but, in particular, the heritage organisations will continue to contribute towards regional growth and development of the Cultural sector through engagement with regional governing bodies and sector networks. They will also continue to engage with local, regional and national creative bodies and communities to champion and influence regional growth. In addition to this, by providing skills development both intend to improve the supply of skilled workers and the availability of training, which accurately reflects the needs of employers. Supporting skills development and employability will be carried out through student placements, internships, PhD studentships, apprenticeships and volunteering.

Another important goal is to drive impact. In connecting academics to creative practitioners and museum collections, the organisations will encourage curiosity led research to tackle contemporary challenges. Their collaborative work will champion collaborations that assist academics and creative practitioners to achieve societal impact and benefit.

 

To find out more about CMP, see: https://www.cornwallmuseumspartnership.org.uk.