Making Connections Through Collections

Traditionally, conversations about museums ‘acquisitions’, i.e. what they bring into the collection or not, take place within a small group of museum staff. In this project we wanted to learn more about how our collections are perceived and find out if we could become more collaborative in our acquisition of new collections. 

Working with small group of community participants, we examined the role of the museum and explored how acquisitions might play a part in making the museum a more inclusive place. In a series of workshops we reviewed existing collections, talked about the collections acquisition process, and discussed what other stories the group think we should be telling through our collections. 

Initial Research Questions

• What stories do collection objects and artworks hold that are of interest to the group?
• How can these stories form part of museum language and interpretation?
• What questions should the collections development group ask themselves when considering acquisitions? 
• How can the museum work more collaboratively with members of the local community to inform our collections policy and displays?
• What are the strategies that artists use to involve a range of people as part of their work?
• How can museum colleagues work collaboratively to coalesce and centre thinking on community with collections?

You can read more about the project in this blog post by project participant Rob Hales Making Connections Through Collections blog post

This project was funded through Research England Participatory Research funding, allocated via the Collections, Connections, Communities Strategic Research Initative.

Making Connections Through Collections Briefing Paper

Anasuya, Isaac, Jade, Jacqui, Kath, Rick, Rob, Sue, Susan and Tim

Habda Rashid, Senior Curator, Modern and Contemporary Art

Ruth Clark, Learning Associate Inclusion

David Farell-Banks, Participatory Research and Impact Co-ordinator

Kate Noble, Senior Research Associate Museum Learning 

Jo Vine, Head of Research