United Kingdom-based museum organization
The British Association of Friends of Museums (BAFM) is an independent organisation for Friends, supporters, and volunteers in museums, galleries, and heritage sites within the United Kingdom.[1] It was established in 1973.[2]
It is a registered charity no 1159670.[3]
BAFM represents around 200,000 Friends and volunteers in the UK.[1] It provides a network of support from people with practical experience of running Friends organisations and is a central source of information. It has links with UK Area Museum Councils and other national UK organisations such as:
BAFM is a member of the World Federation of Friends of Museums. It organizes national and regional events, provides a Handbook for Friends, a Handbook for Heritage Volunteer Managers & Administrators, and many information sheets. The BAFM publish a biannual Journal.[5]
Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester
- 2005-2014 Loyd Grossman OBE, FSA.
[6]
- 1989 Annual Conference at Bristol.[8]
- 2006 Norwich with keynote speaker Joan Bakewell.
- 2007 Annual Conference in Liverpool. 2007 Robert Logan award presented by Loyd Grossman.
- 2008 35th Annual Conference at Penzance.[9]
- 2009 36th Annual Conference and AGM at York.[10]
- 2010 BAFM 37th Annual Conference & AGM Isle of Man 24–26 September 2010.[11]
- 2011 Annual Conference at London Transport Museum in September.
- 2014 41st Annual Conference at Swansea.[12]
- 2015 42nd Annual Conference at Cheltenham.[13]
- 2016 43rd Annual Conference at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum, Coalbrookdale.[14]
- 2017 44th Annual Conference at the London Transport Museum.[15]
- 2018 Annual Conference at Newcastle upon Tyne.[16] The winner of the first best newsletter award was The Black Country Museum Friends.
- 2019 Annual Conference at Reading, Berkshire.[17] The winner of the best newsletter was the Lyme Regis Museum Friends.[18]
- 2020 AGM held remotely.[19]
- 2021 Annual AGM on Zoom.[20]
- 2022 49th Annual Conference at Dundee. October 2022[5]
- 2023 50th Annual Conference at Doncaster in September. The winner of the Newsletter of the year award was the Friends of Birmingham Museums.[21]
- 2024 51st Annual Conference at Wisbech in October in place of Southampton who withdrew.[22]
- 2025 52nd Annual Conference at Bristol
Since 2021 BAFM has operated an IMPACT award currently (2022) £1k.[23]
The Friends of Lyme Regis Museum, The Friends of Wisbech and Fenland Museum,
Herefordshire Museum Service Support Group and The Friends of Reading Museum.[24]
Robert Logan Award
- 2015 Jasmine Farram of Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery.[26]
- 2019 Holiday Donaldson [27]
Newsletter of the Year Award
- 2023 Winners Friends of Birmingham Museums. Runners Up Certificates of Merit - Friends of Bowes Museum and the Friends of Bristol Museum and Archives. Highly Commended Certificates - The Friends of Oakwell Park, the Friends of Southampton City Art Gallery and the Friends of Rayleigh Town Museum.[28]
Friends of the Year Award
- 2023 Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum