Free workshops for small and medium sized cultural and heritage organisations in the East Midlands – run by the University of Nottingham

As part of our UNESCO City of Literature supported project, ‘Citizen Scholarship in Nottingham’, we are offering local cultural and heritage organisations a structured series of practical workshops to explore and trial the use of free and easily accessible digital tools to enhance engagement with heritage and history. Recent research into enhancing cultural value suggests that well-chosen and deployed digital tools almost automatically invite a more interactive, and consequently active, engagement with heritage culture, particularly when co-curation and co-creation of community heritage is enabled via digital means. But we know that small and medium-sized cultural and heritage organisations – often powered by volunteer time and energy – can struggle to get to grips with the digital tools and environments which make such engagement possible.

Our offer to you

Two workshops for heritage organisations that will:

• help you explore and reflect on your organisation’s current use of digital media for sharing your heritage – on the web or via social media or other apps

• introduce you to accessible digital tools to enhance interaction and engagement and work with you to identify potential solutions for your needs

• help you to implement and test trial projects in a supportive environment

• introduce tools and frameworks for evaluation of impact

Workshop 1 – 20 September 2018

We will send out full joining instructions and a short questionnaire before the workshop, but we’d like you to bring along a sample of the materials you’d like to share with new users/your ideas for new storytelling possibilities. We’re happy to accommodate up to three participants from each organisation.

A series of activities will:

• help you explore and reflect on your organisation’s current use of digital media – on the web or via social media or other apps

• identify your organisation’s needs and opportunities to develop digital tools to enhance audience participation and engagement – or simply to make what you currently do easier!

• identify your resources – in terms of knowledge, skills, volunteer time – and the challenges you face

• introduce you to a sample of accessible digital tools to enhance interaction and engagement

Our project team will be available for up to 2 hours of 1-1 support between workshops to help identify potential solutions for the needs you’ve identified, before:

Workshop 2 – early November TBC

A hands on workshop where you will be able to try out our suggested solutions in a supported environment, developing potential prototype projects to take back to your organisation.

We will also discuss tools and frameworks for measuring the impact and value of your projects.

Both workshops will take place in a venue in Nottingham and lunch and refreshments will be provided.

How to book:

Because of the hands-on nature of the workshops, places are limited. If you are interested in taking part, please contact us by Friday 7 September. RSVP and any queries to:

Jo Robinson: jo.robinson@nottingham.ac.uk