About Rosie Crook
Following a degree in English and an MA in Dialect and Folk Life Studies, I experienced a Road to Damascus type conversion to museums in the stores of Beamish Museum (see below) in 1977 and have been in museums and the cultural sector ever since! I am an AMA Museum Diploma holder and a former tutor and examiner in Social History. I am about to start working towards Fellowship of the Museums Association as part of the CPD Plus scheme.
Managing people, budgets, collections and buildings since 1989, I have also managed performing arts and arts development services, and a wide range of other community venues.
As a consultant my clients have included local authorities, regional agencies and independent museums.
Below, instead of a lengthy CV, is a series of career snapshots.
The summary of these experiences? An approach which is:
- people-centred
- flexible
- enthusiastic
- open-minded
- inclusive
- rigorous but not pompous
- responsive
Experience snapshots and highlights
January 2004: starting my own consultancy business
Why?
- the pleasure of being able to share solutions between clients
- putting many years of knowledge into practice
- the fantastic variety of clients and projects
- a huge boost to my own CPD
Autumn 2003: reopening of the Victoria Theatre after a big refurbishment which improved access for our disabled patrons and at last gave our technical crew a Get In lift
Why?
- what could be more important than giving disabled customers dignified and suitable access to the venue - a year ahead of DDA!
- solving health & safety issues which were long overdue
- getting rare council funds for building improvements against the odds
- backstage staff felt appreciated
- all done in time for panto! (oh yes it was...)
2003: Reopening Shibden Hall after a successful Lottery scheme
Why?
- it is an amazing building which has been there since 1420
- we have fulfilled our stewardship role and passed it on better than we found it
- the restoration was a great bit of teamwork
2001: Helping to found the PAN (Professional Arts Network) Calderdale network for arts organisations
Why?
- the pleasure of seeing people meet, network, learn and benefit from each other
- setting something up as people want it then standing back to let them run it
1998: Working with others to set up the Shibden Estate development team
Why?
- working with parks managers, grounds maintenance staff, gardeners, front of house museum staff, park wardens and franchisees of catering, rowing boats and model railways to collectively develop the park and museum we all cared for
- huge fun and very constructive to have a single goal
1997 - date: the arrival of Lucy, my daughter
Why? Parenthood changes your perception of what is a good service. My daughter joined her local library, welcomed with open arms, at 15 months old. Now my definition of a good museum/library/cultural facility has become one that understands and welcomes her.
1996: taking on responsibility for a 1500 seat theatre, a 500 seat cinema, six public halls and later a street market, complete with market traders!
Why?
- stepping out of the comfort zone
- discovering new skills and expertise
- learning what motivates people in a new area
- getting an insight into someone else’s profession
- seeing the links across what people do
- seeing that the cultural sector needs to get greater recognition and speaking as one voice can help it punch above its weight
1993 and 1994: working with the inspirational William Kirby, OBE first in Sandwell, again later in Calderdale, to open up museums, galleries, theatre and cinema for blind and visually impaired people
Why?
- learning from the experts
- providing in partnership
- improving confidence and attitudes
1991-92: exhibitions and workshops in Sandwell by Ranbir Kaur, a skilled craft maker from India
Why?
- workshops with a needlework group for older local English ladies - showed how art and culture can really provide a meeting-place for people
- respect for skill is worldwide - as is the appeal of embroidery!
1990: Doctor Who Comes to Wednesbury exhibition for Sandwell Museums!
Why?
- unashamed populism builds audiences
- working together with a very enthusiastic local group - passion is catching!
- making museum visitors of the 500 Whovians in the immediate area
- media profile and success - probably more votes in our favourite episode poll than in the local elections
1986: Fashioning the Image, an exhibition at the Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry
Why?
- corsets and 1870s dresses combined with inflatable bras and bodybuilding equipment to explore the changing image of the fashionable body
- displays that are cross-disciplinary, based on wonderful collections, eclectic and - fun! - are thoroughly enjoyed by the public
1985: Dressing up in a Victorian nightie as the Ghost of Local Democracy in a protest against the abolition of Tyne & Wear County Council!
Why?
- a valuable lesson in using events to capture the local media
- learning that museums can be caught up in political change which is nothing to do with them
- museums matter! Sometimes curators have to stand up and be counted.
- part of the very hard campaign to keep the regional structure of the service together after abolition
- Tyne & Wear’s subsequent history is museum legend!
1984: researching pubs and workhouses in Sunderland for Pevsner’s Buildings of England series
Why?
- honing my research skills on fascinating buildings in which ordinary working people spent their lives and which still carry their stamp
- the importance of local history to the public - people love to see the living physical history around them
1978: working on the Durham Quilt collection at the Beamish Museum
Why?
- that ‘eureka’ moment when a fantastic collection shows you what you want to do with your life
- an example of the superb riches to be found in the collections of museums
Career summary
BA in English and MA with Distinction in Dialect and Folk Life Studies. Special thesis on women in mining communities in South Wales in the 1930s.
Museum qualified AMA - curator and section head for Tyne & Wear County Council (1982-85) and Coventry City Council (1985-89) - expertise in Social History.
Long-serving Social History Curators’ Group member and officer in the 1980s. Senior Heritage Manager for Sandwell Council (1989-93) managing 4 sites.
Assistant Chief Leisure Officer, Calderdale Council (1993-2003) managing 13 museum and cultural sites, 170 staff and budget of £1.6m.