We run events throughout the year to provide learning and networking opportunities for members. Our ‘pop-up’ events take place all over Scotland and cover a wide range of museum practice. We host an annual conference in spring which has a different theme each year and also host social events for members such as our Christmas Quiz!
Upcoming Events
chekck back here for upcoming events
Previous Events
SMF Conference 2024: ‘A Little Help from the Sector’ Videos
Working with schools: Where do we go next?
Sarah Cowie, Senior Heritage Learning Advisor at National Trust for Scotland.
Workforce for the Future – Marseum
Gabi Gillott, Workforce for the Future Project Officer / Museum Development Coordinator (Delivering Change) at Museums Galleries Scotland.
Historic Environment Scotland’s Collections Inventory Project: Consistency and Collaboration
Inga Edwardson is Collections Inventory Team Manager at Historic Environment Scotland (HES).
The RSAs Bicentenary in 2026: A National Celebration
Sandy Wood is Head of Collections at the Royal Scottish Academy of Art & Architecture
Accreditation Mentors: a CPD opportunity
Jenny Youngson (she/her) is a Museum Development Manager: Accreditation at Museums Galleries Scotland
Collaboration to tell the stories of Living Links
Lizzie Seymour, Learning Technology Officer and Royal Zoological Society of Scotland
Heritage Reeks: Analysing the Malodour of the Dune Stinkhorn as a Case Study for Communicating Heritage Smells at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Dr Siôn Parkinson, AHRC Research Fellow at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Creating Family Friendly Museum
Laura Bedford, Head of Programmes at Kids in Museums
Panel Discussion: Queering House Museums
Indigo and Robbie, NTS Georgian House
Granton Art Centre is Scotland’s first purpose-built art store for paintings, drawings and sculptures from the national collection. It provides 1,300 square metres of secure and climate-controlled storage space.
Come and see how the nation's art is stored and looked after!
The event will include a tour around the facility, an overview of NGS' Loans Programme and a talk on The Art Works - a new sustainable facility which will be built to care for, research and share Scotland’s renowned art collection, and is a key part of the Granton Waterfront development.
Making Museums Accessible for Neurodivergent Visitors
In this practical and informative workshop, Aimee Fletcher – an autistic PhD researcher based at the University of Glasgow - shares some insight into the barriers to museum visiting for neurodivergent adults and suggests some changes or approaches that can improve accessibility.
Drawing from her own lived experiences and research findings so far, Aimee will present an introduction to neurodivergence and run a “Sensory Audit” activity around the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage to get everyone thinking about what barriers may exist in a space for neurodivergent visitors, as well as ways that they can be addressed. Throughout the workshop there will be opportunities to meet others interested in improving their own and organisation’s understanding of neurodivergence.
The session will conclude with an opportunity for a Q&A, either at the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage itself or continuing to a nearby pub or café.
Date and Time
Wed, 25 Oct 2023 at 13:00
Am I Too Late: saving skills for the future of heritage
Curator Mel Oakley from the Verdant Works, Dundee discusses the challenges of preserving intangible cultural heritage
DATE AND TIME
Tue, 17 Oct 2023, 10:30 - 12:00
Museum Careers: Get Started, Transition or Progress
Tamsin Russell, @TamsinRussell, provided you with her knowledgeable advice on starting your career, transitioning from your current job and progression tips.
This workshop looked at aspects of working in museums often less explored:
what we mean by an entry level position and what that means for pay and responsibilities
joining the sector from a different one - lateral progression
vertical vs horizontal progression - the differences
The talk was followed by a Q&A
Date and Time
Thursday 9 March 2023, 1200 - 1300
SMF Conference 2022. Focus on the Workforce: Health and Wellness in Heritage
Videos of the Conference Presentations can be found here: https://www.scottishmuseumsfederation.org.uk/conference-2022 and below:
Remote and Digital Volunteering/Work: The Key to Increasing Museum Accessibility for Museum Workers and Volunteers. Dr Laura Noakes, Research Assistant, The Devil's Porridge Museum
They Might Be Giants- After the Fire. Mike Benson, Managing Director, Scottish Crannog Centre
How Trade Unions Can Help to Address Wellbeing Issues Across the Sector. Philip Brooks, Trade Union Organiser, Prospect
Wellbeing in Anti-Racism Practice. Panel Chair: Sheila Asante, Project Manager: Empire, Slavery & Scotland's Museums, Museums Galleries Scotland, Panel Members: Corinne Fowler, Mélina Valdelièvre and Lisa Williams
Online Support: A Free Resource. Devon McHugh, Senior Partnerships Manager and Helen Raggett, Senior Resources Manager, Museums Galleries Scotland
Date And Time
16 May 2022
09:30 - 16:30
Location
Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries
Behind the Scenes: Museum Redevelopment
We had a blast learning together at the The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum! In case you had to missed it, we have produced a pre-recorded session. Thank you to the whole team at the museum for taking part and to Open Past Productions for putting together this video!
Date And Time
4 March 2022
14:00 - 17:00
Location
Stirling Castle, Castle Wynd, Stirling FK8 1EJ
Previous [Recorded] Event
So... What's Next?
Scotland's museums and heritage sites have weathered lockdowns, limbo, and pandemic panic. So... what's next? You can watch the talk from with museum managers from across the Highlands. Lorna Cruickshank and Katey Boal will be sharing their experiences, talking about plans for post-Covid recovery, and taking questions from attendees.
Date And Time
24 October 2021
14:00 - 18:00
Location
Abertarff House, 71 Church St, Inverness IV1 1ES