British Association of Friends of Museums facts for kids
The British Association of Friends of Museums (BAFM) is a special group in the United Kingdom. It helps people who volunteer or support museums, art galleries, and heritage sites. BAFM started in 1973 and is a registered charity.
BAFM supports about 200,000 volunteers and friends across the UK. It offers a network where people can share ideas and get advice. BAFM also provides useful information and works with other important UK groups.
These groups include:
- Association of Independent Museums (AIM)
- Charity Commission for England and Wales
- Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
- Museums Association (MA)
- National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
BAFM is also part of the World Federation of Friends of Museums. They hold events, publish handbooks, and share information sheets. BAFM also publishes a journal twice a year.
Contents
Who Leads BAFM?
Patron
The Patron of BAFM is Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester.
Presidents
The President helps lead BAFM. Here are some past and current Presidents:
- From 2005 to 2014: Loyd Grossman OBE, FSA.
- From 2015 to 2023: Dame Rosemary Butler DBE.
- From 2023 onwards: The Lord Cormack DL FSA.
BAFM Annual Conferences
BAFM holds a big meeting called an Annual Conference every year. People from museums and heritage sites come together to learn and share.
- 1989: The conference was held in Bristol.
- 2006: The conference took place in Norwich.
- 2007: Liverpool hosted the conference.
- 2008: The 35th conference was in Penzance.
- 2009: The 36th conference and AGM (Annual General Meeting) were in York.
- 2010: The 37th conference and AGM were held on the Isle of Man.
- 2011: The conference was at the London Transport Museum.
- 2014: The 41st conference took place in Swansea.
- 2015: The 42nd conference was in Cheltenham.
- 2016: The 43rd conference was at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum in Coalbrookdale.
- 2017: The 44th conference returned to the London Transport Museum.
- 2018: The conference was held in Newcastle upon Tyne. The Black Country Museum Friends won the first best newsletter award.
- 2019: The conference was in Reading, Berkshire. The Lyme Regis Museum Friends won the best newsletter award.
- 2020: The AGM was held online.
- 2021: The Annual AGM was held on Zoom.
- 2022: The 49th conference was in Dundee.
- 2023: The 50th conference was in Doncaster. The Friends of Birmingham Museums won the Newsletter of the Year award.
- 2024: The 51st conference was held in Wisbech.
- 2025: The 52nd conference is planned for Bristol.
BAFM Awards
BAFM gives out awards to recognize the great work done by museum friends and volunteers.
IMPACT Award
Since 2021, BAFM has given an IMPACT award, which includes a £1,000 prize.
- In 2022, The Friends of The Egypt Centre in Swansea won the Impact Award. The Friends of Beamish Museum were runners-up. Other groups that were highly praised include The Friends of Lyme Regis Museum, The Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum, Herefordshire Museum Service Support Group, and The Friends of Reading Museum.
- In 2021, The Friends of Upminster Windmill won the Impact Award. The Costume and Textile Association, The Friends of the Judges Lodgings, Lancaster, and The Friends of The Whitworth were highly praised.
Robert Logan Award
This award recognizes special contributions.
- In 2015, Jasmine Farram from Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery received this award.
- In 2019, Holiday Donaldson was the winner.
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 received Certificates of Merit. The Friends of Oakwell Park, The Friends of Southampton City Art Gallery, and The Friends of Rayleigh Town Museum were highly praised.
Friends of the Year Award
This award recognizes an outstanding Friends group.
- In 2023, The Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum won the Friends of the Year Award.
