Cornwall Museums Partnership

Cornwall Museums Partnership is an independent charitable incorporated organisation, formed in 2015 to provide leadership for Cornwall’s museums; to support them, represent them and give them a voice. We are an established sector-leading charity which is not afraid to think differently.

Our work supports museums to make a positive difference to peoples’ lives. Our investment programme, partnership projects and training are designed to maximise museums’ ability to achieve and communicate the positive outcomes above. We are based in Krowji, Redruth, but we often work remotely at locations dotted across Cornwall. We are a values-driven organisation and proud to be so. In 2020 we were awarded an ‘Outstanding’ rating by Arts Council England for our work to deliver the Creative Case for Diversity. Our stance is actively anti-racist, inclusive and anti-colonial.

Why Museums Matter

At their best, we think museums help us to explore some of the most fundamental questions about who we are and our place in the world. Museums enable greater understanding and empathy by providing a view of the world through other people’s eyes. They can be a focal point for communities, bringing people together, promoting wellbeing and tackling loneliness.

Vision

Our vision is that CMP is facilitating a thriving international network which connects Cornwall’s museums and their communities to organisations across the globe. Through this pioneering model of collaborative practice, we are shifting the dial in terms of the impact and value museums create across society. By forging partnerships with purpose, Cornwall’s museums are using their collections to foster happy, healthy, equitable and prosperous communities where heritage is valued and celebrated.

Activities

Improving the understanding of museums’ collections, the gaps in them and reviewing their interpretation is a dynamic and exciting process with value for the whole of society. Cornwall Museums Partnership exists to invigorate museums and help them to address the structures and practices which have previously excluded people.

We are not a ‘top-down’ organisation which is seeking to impose change on museums. We work collaboratively with grassroots organisations and groups and value the experience and expertise of local communities.

There are four aspects to our services which will help us achieve our vision:

1. Commissioning programmes in museums which engage museums with more people and ensure museums are sustainable and resilient.

2. Brokering partnerships between museums and the private, public and voluntary sectors to access new skills, resources and markets for the museums sector.

3. Providing excellent training, development and support services which provide effective solutions to key challenges, question ‘business as usual’ and result in a skilled, networked, confident and happy museum workforce, including volunteers and trustees.

4. Research and development which tests out new approaches to museum practice, is scalable and is shared with the global museum community.

Values

Our values drive the way we work; they describe how we will make our vision real. They are:

• Collaboration: we believe that collaboration provides fertile ground for the flourishing of inventive and resourceful practice. We listen and form genuine partnerships which are built on mutual understanding and respect.

• Innovation: we seek new solutions and think differently. We pioneer new ways of doing things and set high standards in everything we do; we are not afraid to try radical approaches.

• Inclusion: we respect and value multiple perspectives. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment that respects diverse traditions, heritages and experiences and is inclusive for everyone.

• Integrity: we act with professionalism, transparency and honesty. We are trusted partners.