A networking and training organisation for museum professionals across the midlands, the Midlands Federation of Museums and Galleries (or MidFed) is one of the largest Federations in the country. Covering a region that is rich in museums and diverse in its character, stretching from the Welsh border to Lincolnshire, and from Nottinghamshire to Northamptonshire, the Fed is unique in its reach across both sides of the midlands. Members come from every type of museum and gallery – small independents, big city institutions, military museums, local authority museums and art galleries.

Meetings provide an opportunity to network with museum colleagues from across the Midlands to share updates and ideas, but the greatest advantage of Federation membership is the opportunity to hear specialists talk authoritatively on their area of expertise. In these days of tight budgets, the Federation offers great value-for-money training opportunities, specialist talks and collections-based seminars – all of which provide excellent, very affordable continuous professional development (CPD), and keeps you in touch with best practice in museums and galleries. There’s also a bursary scheme to help members attend conferences or training.