Nick Poole discusses the future of collections in museums. He argues that museums need a new pragmatism and balance where collections, access, conservation, and public programs are integrated. Technology has changed the expectations of the public and how culture will be consumed in the future. Museums must understand collections management and how their organizations work to remain relevant in a changing environment and new digital economy.

1. The Future for Collections
Nick Poole, Collections Trust
04.12.08

2. Curriculum Vitae
Jobs:
Chief Executive, Collections Trust
Regional Policy Adviser, MLA
National ICT Adviser, MLA
Client Liaison, UBS Warburg
Education:
History & Philosophy of Science, UCL
Fine Art Foundation, St Martins
Languages, Cambridge

5. Synopsis...
A new pragmatism
A new balance
A new Social Contract
The death of Documentation
The Digital Economy
Shop culture

6. We can’t stop time | We acquired too much too fast |
We are hoarding | The problem wasn’t money after all |
Our core proposition is strong | A project culture is not
the best way of achieving change | A performance
culture is about ticking boxes | We can’t afford it...
Welcome to the ‘austerity’ museum

7. The new balance...
Once every 4-5 years, the pendulum
swings between collections and
access, conservation and
learning, ‘front of house’ and ‘back
office’.
The new balance says that they are
one and the same thing. It’s about
creating integrated organisations.
We have a dream...

9. A Service to
Commemorate
the passing of
Museum
Documentation
04.12.08

11. It’s no longer about specialism & databases...
It’s about:
• Understanding the connections
• Managing programmes & resources
• Taking people with you
Collections Management gives you stability,
confidence, creative freedom, the ability to be
open with your Collections.

14. Technology has made publishers of us all
The consumer expects to be able to plan a
visit, look at a map...
Every indication is that there is no demand
for collections on the Web
The age of Digitisation is at an end
The age of projects and pilots and
demonstrators will soon be at an end
The Internet economy is built on search &
advertising. Both require critical mass. We
have to go where the people are.

15. How will your kids
Consume culture?
And their kids...?
How will your kids
consume culture?

17. The new economy is creating many strange new alliances. Where
are the boundaries beyond which we stop being museums and start
being something else? Can we continue to justify uneconomic
behaviour on the basis that culture is an intrinsic public good? How
do we feel about selling our brand, and putting the public trust in
museums up to the highest bidder?

18. No matter what
excites, interests or motivates
you about working with
museums, libraries or
archives, if you don’t
understand Collections
Management, the interplay of
disciplines and the underlying
models of how these places
work, you won’t achieve
anything.

19. Our sector is changing fast...
At stake is the opportunity to articulate a new
kind of museums sector for a new kind of
audience.
Your opportunity is to build on 30 years of
knowledge about how to create, manage
and share collections so that they really
can change peoples lives.
Have fun!

20. We’re looking for a placement
student!
Nick Poole
Chief Executive
Collections Trust
www.collectionstrust.org.uk
www.collectionslink.org.uk
www.openculture.collectionstrustblo
gs.org.uk
nick@collectionstrust.org.uk
01223 316 028