British Association of Friends of Museums facts for kids

The British Association of Friends of Museums (BAFM) is a special group for people who love and support museums, art galleries, and historic places across the United Kingdom. It started in 1973. BAFM is a registered charity, which means it's a non-profit organization that helps others.

BAFM helps about 200,000 Friends and volunteers in the UK. It's like a big network where people can share ideas and get help to run their own local "Friends" groups. BAFM also connects with other important UK organisations that deal with museums and charities, such as the Museums Association. It's even part of a worldwide group called the World Federation of Friends of Museums. BAFM holds events, shares useful guides like the Handbook for Friends, and publishes a magazine twice a year.

Who Leads BAFM?

Patron

A patron is someone who supports an organization, often a famous or important person. The patron of BAFM is Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester.

Presidents

The president is a leader of the organization. Here are some of the people who have been president of BAFM:

• 2005-2014: Loyd Grossman OBE, FSA
• 2015-2023: Dame Rosemary Butler DBE
• From 2023: The Lord Cormack DL FSA

Annual Gatherings

BAFM holds a big meeting every year called the Annual Conference. These events bring together Friends and volunteers from all over the UK to learn and share experiences. Here are some places where they have met:

• 1989: Bristol
• 2006: Norwich, with a special speaker, Joan Bakewell
• 2007: Liverpool
• 2008: Penzance (This was their 35th conference!)
• 2010: Isle of Man
• 2011: London Transport Museum in London
• 2014: Swansea
• 2016: Ironbridge Gorge Museum, Coalbrookdale
• 2018: Newcastle upon Tyne (The Black Country Museum Friends won the first best newsletter award here.)
• 2019: Reading, Berkshire (Lyme Regis Museum Friends won the best newsletter award.)
• 2020 and 2021: These meetings were held online due to special circumstances.
• 2022: Dundee (This was their 49th conference!)
• 2023: Doncaster (The Friends of Birmingham Museums won the Newsletter of the Year award.)
• 2024: Wisbech
• 2025: Southampton
• 2026: Knutsford

Awards

BAFM gives out awards to celebrate the amazing work done by Friends groups and individuals.

IMPACT Award

Since 2021, BAFM has given an "IMPACT" award, which includes a £1,000 prize. This award celebrates projects that make a real difference.

• In 2022, the Friends of The Egypt Centre in Swansea won the Impact Award. The Friends of Beamish Museum were runners-up. Other groups like The Friends of Lyme Regis Museum and The Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum were highly praised.
• In 2021, the Friends of Upminster Windmill won the Impact Award.

Robert Logan Award

This award recognizes individuals for their contributions.

• 2015: Jasmine Farram from Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery.
• 2019: Holiday Donaldson.

Newsletter of the Year Award

This award celebrates the best newsletters created by Friends groups.

• In 2023, the Friends of Birmingham Museums won this award. The Friends of Bowes Museum and the Friends of Bristol Museum and Archives also received special mentions.

Friends of the Year Award

This award celebrates an outstanding Friends group.

• In 2023, the Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum won this award.