Harnessing a Sense of Place as Museums and Heritage organisations
This session commissioned by Museum Development Midlands focussed on the opportunity and potential for development of activities and practice that reflect, celebrate and share the unique characteristics, heritage, culture and environment where we are!
https://www.mdmidlands.org.uk/
Presentations and case studies shared by sector professionals aimed to inspire colleagues to connect their unique offers more closely to local communities in new ways.
Presentations by sector professionals
Click here to download Culture Leicestershire – Sense of Place
Click here to download Collecting – Sense of Place
Click here to download Tourism – Sense of Place
Sense of Place case studies from across the Midlands
If you would like to add to these please email: culture@leics.gov.uk
The Derby Yaadaañ Archive – Derby Museum
Delegates shared their key challenges prior to the workshop. These were then themed and solutions were shared during the session
Challenge: Capacity and resources to connect and build meaningful, relevant relationships
Solutions:
- Funding: Ask local councils, universities, parish councils explore funding pots or grants. There are larger organisations who can help with funding e.g. the Arts Council England project funding or Heritage Lottery.
- Partnerships: Build and develop relationships with community partners, for example youth clubs and local charities or third sector organisations.
- Contacts: Use the existing contacts, volunteers, family, staff and visitors to spread the word.
- Data: Use existing data for demographic research, such as data available from ONS/Census/NHS
- Record keeping: Build a good record and archive of project work to share good practice for the future.
- Strategy: Discuss with senior decision makers, express priorities and be confident to share ideas.
- Managing expectations: Manage the expectation of staff capacity, the length of the time the project will span over and how much investment can be made to maintain the project once it is complete.
Challenge: Bridge the gap between conflicting Senses Of Place
Solutions:
- Maintain communication with volunteering groups and front of house staff.
- Bring people together through shared events.
- Complete non-audience surveys.
- Ensure time for trust building.
- Recognise venues are not neutral spaces and acknowledge conflicts in the community.
- Is conflict real or imagined?
- Offer hosting spaces for community groups, exhibitions and displays.
- Build trust and establish your place as a permanent feature for the community.
- Accept our spaces are places of diversity, highlighting and celebrating all communities.
- Celebrate the new and the old, staying authentic.
Challenge: How to reengage involvement and interest following venue closures
Solutions:
- Is the site able to be open for local communities during closures? Look at whether funding is available for this as well.
- Use social media and digital engagement to show behind the scenes information during closures.
- Host “welcome back” groups/parties for new and old audiences.
- Maintain outreach events, talks, digital exhibitions, webinars and blogs.
- Consider consulting or co-creating changes with communities.
- Utilise other venues to keep the stories and activities alive.
- Take collection boxes/objects out into the community.