THE CARPET MUSEUM TRUST
MUSEUM OF CARPET
MUSEUM MANAGER
Job Description
Salary: Up to £25,000 (depending on experience)
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week including some weekends and some evenings.
Start: As soon as possible.
Duration: This a permanent post.
Pension: There is no pension provision initially but the Trust is intending to
participate in the new Government Pension Scheme (predicted start date 2016)
Responsible to: Chairman of the Executive Committee
Responsible for: Museum Assistant, Volunteer Coordinators and Volunteers
1.
Main purpose of job:
 In the period leading up to the opening of the museum in October 2012 the
main purpose will to take a lead with putting in place the curatorial,
management and administrative procedures; also to plan the learning
programme for schools and colleges, lifelong learners and community groups.
 After the museum opens the main purpose will be overall responsibility for the
management and operation of the museum and taking the lead with the
learning programme.
2.
Duties and Responsibilities
Site Management and Operation
 To take responsibility for all aspects of the day-to-day management and
operation of the Museum of Carpet.
 To ensure that the museum is at all times adequately staffed and the standards
of operational efficiency, building and collection security, customer care, and
health and safety procedures are maintained at all times.
 To lead the formal learning programme for schools, colleges, universities and
other appropriate institutions.
 To ensure the management, training and development of the Museum’s front
of house staff is to standards required of Investors in People programme.
 To take responsibility for the building’s repair and maintenance programme.
 To work with the Trust’s trading company, Carpet Museum Services Ltd, in
managing the on-site trading activities.
 To take responsibility, working with the Trust’s Treasurer, for managing the
Museum’s budget, and working with the Museum Executive Committee on
fundraising.
 To arrange (as required) visitor research and evaluation exercises as agreed
with the Museum’s Executive Committee
 To take a lead with the marketing and promotion of the Museum of Carpet.
 To direct the work programmes undertaken by the Museum Assistant and
Volunteer Coordinators.
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Display & Interpretation/Collection Care
 To lead the interpretation of the Museum of Carpet though a programme of
temporary exhibitions, activities, events and through the permanent displays.
 To produce interpretative literature and guides using a variety of media.
 To respond to enquiries relating to the Museum of Carpet and its collections.
 To provide outreach activities including talks for community groups and
societies.
 To direct the day-to-day care and management of the Museum’s collections
both on-site and in remote storage to the standards required by the
Accreditation Scheme.
Other Duties
 To undertake any training required by this post.
 To ensure all duties and activities are untaken in compliance with policies
adopted by the Carpet Museum Trust.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training:
It is essential that the postholder has:
 A degree or equivalent or relevant experience
 A postgraduate qualification in museum studies or equivalent
 Evidence of on-going professional development
It is desirable that the postholder has:
 Membership of relevant professional body
Experience/Knowledge
It is essential that the postholder has:
 Experience of managing a museum and knowledge of operating archives and
library services.
 Experience of learning programmes for a wide range of groups.
 Experience of collection management procedures.
 Experience of working co-operatively with a broad range of internal and
external contacts and groups.
 Experience of managing and developing individuals (in particular volunteers)
and successful teams
 Experience of fundraising from a variety of different sources.
 Experience of retail operations within a museum or heritage centre.
 Experience of using social networking tools for engagement and marketing
purposes
Skills and Abilities:
It is essential the postholder has:
 Ability to provide clear leadership and direction, whilst empowering and
motivating colleagues
 Able to articulate a clear vision for the development of the museum.
 High level of advocacy with a range of internal and external contacts and
groups
 Proven ability in effective budget/financial management
 Strong networking abilities
 Well-developed inter-personal skills
 The ability to act proactively, use initiative and be self-motivated
 Good communication skills
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MUSEUM OF CARPET
Background Information
The Carpet Museum Trust
Who we are
The Carpet Museum Trust was founded in 1981 ‘to establish a museum or museums
to collect and display items of local and historical interest especially in relation to the
carpet industry or allied textiles’.
The current trustees are Richard Pugh-Cook Chairman, Charles E Talbot Secretary,
Robin Hill (Museums Worcestershire), and Wyre Forest District Council.
The Carpet Museum Services Ltd is the trading arm of the Trust.
The Trust is a charity registered with the Charity Commission number 512409
The Story so far
1980s:
Kenneth Tomkinson, a leading Carpet Manufacturer, aided by three other Trustees,
Stephen Quayle also a carpet manufacturer, Charles Talbot a local solicitor and Wyre
Forest District Council, did much preparatory work from 1981 to 1987. After the
death of Kenneth Tomkinson in 1987, Wyre Forest District Council took the initiative
and commissioned a feasibility study which confirmed the need for such a museum
but worsening economic conditions from 1990 and lack of suitable premises
prevented further progress. .
1990s:
The revival of the Trust and a renewed interest in the museum project was stimulated
by an exhibition at the Bowes Museum, Co. Durham of hand-loom weaving of
“Kidderminster” carpet. This exhibition was brought to Kidderminster in 1999 and its
success increased public awareness. This led in 2000 to the foundation of “The
Friends of the Carpet Museum Trust” to support the Trust in establishing a museum.
2000 onwards
Co-operation with the Worcestershire County Museum Service, led to an exhibition in
2002, ‘On the Carpet’, at the County Museum, Hartlebury Castle. Weaving
demonstrations were provided by the Friends of the Carpet Museum Trust.
Museum consultants were appointed to review options for museum premises. Stour
Vale Mill owned by Woodward Grosvenor Ltd was the preferred site but it was not
possible to agree a long lease.
The Archives Centre Project
Meanwhile, the Trust was offered the archives of the British Carpet Manufacturers
Association and the technical library of Kidderminster College. The Trust decided to
create an Archives Centre so premises were rented and with the aid of a grant from
the Heritage Lottey Fund a consultant archivist was engaged for a two year project.
The collections were catalogued and made available on-line through a website,
volunteers were trained, oral history interviews were carried out, teaching resources
developed and access to the collections promoted through a series of exhibitions.
This work was achieved with financial support from Wyre Forest District Council, the
Kidderminster Educational Foundation, the Kidderminster and District Youth Trust,
the Heritage Lottery Fund, Worcestershire County Council and private donations. The
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Friends of the Carpet Museum Trust provided hours of volunteer time as well as
financial support and the volunteers continue to manage and develop the resource.
The Stour Vale Mill project
In 2006 Stour Vale site was acquired (factory) by Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc.
who obtained planning permission not only for their new store but also for the use of
Stour Vale Mill as a museum. Terms for its use as a museum were agreed with the
Trust and with further financial help from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Advantage West
Midlands and the Kidderminster Educational Foundation a Stage I pass for £1.67
million was obtained in September 2008. The Stage II application was submitted in
late November 2009 and after further fundraising HLF approved a grant of £1.9
million in September 2010.
THE MUSEUM OF CARPET, Kidderminster’s Living Legacy
The Building
 The Stour Vale Mill was the first purpose-built power loom carpet factory in the
UK, constructed in 1855 on the initiative of Joseph Kiteley, Mayor of
Kidderminster and a carpet manufacturer. Finance was provided by Lord Ward,
later Earl of Dudley. For most of its working existence it was occupied by
Woodward Grosvenor Ltd and latterly by Grosvenor Wilton Ltd. The main
building is Listed Grade II. It is 300 feet long but only 19 feet wide.
 The exterior of the two-storey Grade II Listed building has been sensitively
restored by Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc.
 The interior will house the museum galleries and shop on the ground floor with
the Collection Storage Area, Archives Centre (&,Library), Trust Offices and
meeting rooms on the first floor.
 There is also an office area on the first floor to let.
 Shaylors Special Projects plc were contracted to undertake the internal
refurbishment of the Mill. Work began in September 2011 and is due for
completion in March 2012.
 Headland Design is the display contractor and installation is planned from June to
September 2012.
Display Galleries
 The museum will contain seven galleries:
 The Weaving Shed with working looms
 Hand loom shop
 Kidderminster and Carpets
 The Carpet Industry Browsing Area
 The Process/Design Studio
 Selling the Finished Product
 There is also a temporary exhibition/activities area
When will the museum open?
 The Official Opening of the Museum is scheduled for Friday 19 October 2012
and will open to the public on 20 October.
 It is planned to move the collections and the Trust operation to Stour Vale Mill in
May/June 2012.
OUR PARTNERS AND SPONSORS
During the past twelve years the Trust has received financial support from Wyre
Forest District Council, Worcestershire County Council, the Museums Libraries and
Archives Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Kidderminster Educational
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Foundation, the Kidderminster and District Youth Trust, The Worshipful Company of
Mercers, The Worshipful Company of Grocers, The Worshipful Company of
Weavers, Biffaward, J Paul Getty Jnr. Charitable Trust, Foyle Foundation, RD Turner
Trust, Baron Davenport Trust, William Cadbury Trust, Rowlands Trust, Idlewild
Trust, Aurelius Trust, Adam Carpets Ltd, several business donors and numerous
private donors.
The Trust has also received valued practical help from Brintons Limited, Victoria
Carpets Limited, Carpets of Kidderminster Ltd and Grosvenor Wilton Limited.
The Carpet Museum Trust
January 2012
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