Cultural Intern Scheme Placement Proposal
Address where Placement would
be carried out
Description of the project/s to
be undertaken
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
The Shakespeare Centre,
Henley Street,
Stratford upon Avon
Warwickshire.
CV37 6QW
This project will carry out a full-scale review of our
archaeological collections and their associated archive.
This includes Romano-British and Anglo-Saxon material
from local sites as well as more recent finds from the
2010 – 2012 ‘Dig for Shakespeare’ on the site of New
Place, Shakespeare’s last home. A number of volunteers
from this last dig are keen to carry on working with this
collection so will provide additional support.
Through this review we will:
1. Carry out research on the archaeology collections
linking objects to their associated archival record
2. Rationalise the archaeological items from the Dig for
Shakespeare project accessioning relevant items into
the permanent collections
3. Identify objects which fall outside of the collections
current remit and no longer meet SBT’s strategic
objectives in preparation for their potential disposal
4. Carry out retrospective cataloguing to enhance
existing records
5. Catalogue unaccessioned items
6. Review storage of all archaeological material in our
collections and pack or repack objects into
conservation standard materials as appropriate.
Key milestones:
January 2014 - A full inventory of the archaeological
material currently in our collection, including the new
finds from the Dig for Shakespeare project
March 2014 - A rationalised selection of finds from New
Place catalogued and entered on our collections database
MODES
March 2014 - All archaeology in the offsite store
packed in appropriate conservation material.
In association with the
Intern’s role within the main
placement project
Working to a clear collections review methodology and
alongside the Museum Collections Assistant, the intern
will be responsible for the day to day delivery of the
project including supervising volunteers.
Key activities to be carried out by the intern include:
1. Carry out research on the archaeology collections
2. Link objects to their associated archival record
3. Sort and photograph objects
4. Catalogue unaccessioned items
5. Retrospective documentation to enhance existing
records
6. Review storage of all archaeological material in our
collections
7. Repack finds into conservation standard material
8. Supervise volunteers
9. Write project updates for publication on collections
blog
10.Make recommendations for disposal where
appropriate
Purpose of the Placement
During their placement the intern will not only develop
an understanding of working with a Designated collection
of national and international significance, but will also
gain direct experience of the care and management of
museum collections, developing knowledge about best
practice in collections review activity.
Specific skills which will be developed include:
1. project management
2. object handling, condition checking and basic
conservation
3. object research
4. museum cataloguing standards
5. knowledge of MODES database
6. digital capture of museum collections
7. supervising volunteers
8. written and oral communication skills
In association with the