Robin Johnson, Museum Consultant
Location
West Midlands
Specialism
- Skills and service auditing
- Writing activity plans
- Mentoring / advising
- Researching best practice
- Staff / volunteer training
- Workshop / activity development
About
After spending nearly all of my working life in the arts and cultural sector or the formal education field as both a qualified heritage professional and fully qualified and experienced formal education specialist I am uniquely able to give both a museum and education perspective to projects.
I have been immersed in the principles, theory and practice of heritage, museums, collections and exhibitions for all of this time and expand my knowledge by regular attendance at training courses and networking events, as well as regularly visiting other cultural venues in both my professional work and in my personal life.
I have always taken a visitor-focused approach to my work, firmly believing that without a positively engaged audience – what is the point? In my work I am well known for my constant questioning and always asking – “is this what our audience wants?”.
More Details
With my museum consultation contracts I am frequently asked by clients to audit their service provision and to research opportunities for growth. I produce comprehensive reports into my findings alongside large amounts of qualitative and quantitative data which helps me with my recommendations for the future direction of their services. I have vast experience of presenting to senior management teams over many years and it is something I am very comfortable with.
All my contract work requires exceptional interpersonal skills and tact in order to fully appreciate and understand the issues involved. I need the staff to trust me and understand that I am there to help them improve, not simply criticise and move on. My ability to see the bigger picture as an external ‘critical friend’ has been extremely useful in my work as a consultant. I believe that clients have trusted my judgement and have accepted my recommendations as a result of the respect they have for my independent, collaborative and detail-driven methods.
A large part of this work is undertaken in close collaboration with the staff and volunteers who work with me throughout the process and, I think, appreciate the informal mentoring and role modelling that is usually part of the process.
A significant portion of my time over recent years has been spent training staff and volunteers in inclusion and engagement techniques, helping them keep up-to-date with current practice, either through formal sessions or small group informal workshops. As a consultant, I am frequently asked to advise clients (and their staff & volunteers) on current best practice in heritage interpretation, learning and engagement, so I need to keep up to date on developments and current legislation through proactive research and physically visiting venues and meeting staff there where possible.
Contact
07941 842037
11a Eastlands Grove
Coventry
CV5 8HT
[email protected]
