From the Chair

The BIG year began with the AGM in Manchester - the location being part of a deliberate policy to make sure that we are more accessible to BIG members around the country and not just those in the South East. For 2000 we are in Cardiff - not just to spread ourselves widely geographically but, by holding the AGM at the Centre for Visual Arts, we are also demonstrating that BIG is not exclusively for those involved in science centres.

There were a number of resignations/retirements from the committee last year and, apart from Peter Trevitt and myself, 1999 saw BIG with a complete change of personnel on the committee. The new team immediately co-opted on to the committee Alison Coles from the Kids Club Network and Andy lloyd from the Science Museum as our new newsletter editor.

We have continued to develop the Special Interest Groups (SIG's) over the last year. There are now six with an official contact person/coordinator for each group and, in all except one case, with representation on the committee.

• Early Years - Vicky Cave
• Science Centre Directors - Bhagwant Singh
• Shows - James Piercy
• Research - Tim Caulton
• Explainers - Adam Love-Rodgers
• Exhibit Development - Peter Trevitt

There is no formal mode of operation for the SIG's - they simply allow BIG members with similar interests to network more effectively. The Early Years SIG held a very successful meeting in Birmingham in May and the Shows SIG met in Cardiff in August to begin work on the BIG 2000 show. This is a collaborative project in which shows SIG people have pooled ideas to create the template for a show that can (and will) be performed in centres around the country during 2000.

The BIG event at Herstmonceux, in brilliant sunshine, was once again the BIG highlight of the year. The organisation was much sharper this year, all the formal sessions were very good and stimulated much debate, the social events were extremely social and a good and fruitful time was had by all. It was particularly good to see a number of delegates from overseas and from non-science areas. Many thanks again to Science Projects for letting us use their wonderful facilities at Herstmonceux at such preferential rates (free!)

On the national scene it has been an interesting year as Millennium fever builds. We've seen some of the big Lottery funded projects open - Dynamic Earth, The Earth Centre, the Centre for Visual Arts, National Centre for Popular Music - not without troubles. Let's hope our worst fears are not confirmed as the others come on stream in 2000 and 2001. BIG has a growing membership from these new centres and we should be working to help make sure that these new centres flourish along with the existing interactive scene in the UK.

Whilst BIG is not exclusively for people involved in science centres, with so many of our members involved in these centres, BIG cannot ignore current moves intended to create a better network for science centres. The Science Centre Directors SIG continue to meet twice a year and have been in close consultation with the BA about a new membership category for science centres with national marketing benefits for all such centres. BIG is also in active contact with the Wellcome Trust initiative to coordinate the activities of the Lottery projects in which it has invested millions. Through this, BIG members have also been involved in the work to try to get a recognised definition of a science centre and the campaign to give science centres a collective voice with government and with bodies such as MLAC.

We have worked this year to improve the networking facilities for BIG members. Andy Lloyd has done a fantastic job in his first year as Newsletter editor. Martin Glancy has still been closely involved in BIG and continues to look after our website. He has also helped us to set up the discussion list "big-chat" which is proving to be a very useful communication medium for members.

The membership of BIG has continued to grow both in number and in diversity. During my term as Chair, I have made it a priority to raise the profile of BIG both nationally and internationally. I've tried to make sure that we've been represented in national discussions on PUS and science centres, encouraged contacts in non-science interactive projects and actively networked with other organisations such as ECSITE. The development plan that we are presenting at the AGM for discussion takes this further.

My term as Chair comes to an end this AGM. It's been a busy and interesting couple of years. Thanks to all committee members for their support. I'm now looking forward to being an ordinary BIG member for a while. Herstmonceux without the hassle is certainly very appealing!

Gillian Pearson

Newsletter Spring 2000 Contents

New exhibitions > Opening dates for UK exhibitions | New Yorkshire Centre | Young builders | Number exhibition | What's wrong with the Millennium Dome?

News > Canadian Director for Eureka | Design in education Week | The 'Race against time' show pack | Indo-UK Science Festival | From the editor | From the chair

BIG Annual Report 1999 > Chair's Report | Treasurers Report | Membership Report