Here are some examples of audience development projects. Projects are collaborative with stakeholders and audiences, giving ownership of the project to the people who are going to take part as much as possible. To find out more about current projects just get in touch - We love talking projects.
Future of the Past collaborates with a wide range of partners across Lincolnshire with aim of creatively engaging young people with heritage. Led by SoundLINCS a not for profit community music organisation and supported through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, this two year project brought together a range of 13 key partners working across the arts, heritage, loacl authority and univerity sector. The project involved seven heritage sites across Lincolnshire to look at how they can make their collections and stories relevant to 11-25 year olds. The project created opportunities for musicians, artists, performers and film makers to bring stories of the past alive and relevant for future generations withyoung people defining areas of interest and taking the lead in defining heritage events and interpretation.
Hidden Heritage was an Arts Council funded project incorporating rural communities in engaging in their local heritage in unusual venues, village halls, pubs and libraries as well as local heritage sites. There was was a touring exhibition, adult lectures and workshops and workshop and events for young people during school holidays as well as accompanying schools programme supporting the National Curriculum from Key Stage 1-4.
Saving the 70s was the first contemporary collecting project funded by National Heritage Lottery Fund. Saving the ‘70s was developed by 11 museums and heritage organisations in Hertfordshire and Suffolk, the project focused on individual community activities, whilst partners also worked together to learn from each other, share resources and create an exciting project. The focus on contemporary collecting and recent history allowed museums to explore themes, stories and issues within living memory, engaging with audiences who did not previously relate to much of the museums’ collections.
Horse Play - National Horse Racing Museum Working with oral historians, theatre practitioners and artists, puplis devised a play using the testimonials from retired jockeys still living in Newmarket. A series of creative expereinces were developed to engage pupils and members of the local community. The stories of the jockeys from this project are on permanent display at the Horse Racing Museum.