Led by Verity Smith on behalf of MDEM, these workshops will enable participating organisations to look differently at their collections and the storytelling around the objects during this time of lockdown. This could be re-interpreting an existing display to exhibit on the website, looking afresh at collections in store via the database, or tapping into a timely anniversary or theme in order to share content via social media.
We’re keen to find out and share what your organisation was planning before the pandemic, how you’ve adapted during lockdown to the opportunities and challenges, and thirdly, are you able to plan for post-lockdown activity? What would you like to continue or explore further?
The aim of the programme is to build confidence and skills in this area, inspiring professionals to work with, interpret and share their collections while working from home during the pandemic. It will involve two online 2-hour sessions and we ask that participating museums be available for both.
Who can join:
We have 6 spaces available on this programme for accredited museum or those working towards accreditation in the East Midlands. Spaces will be allocated on a first come basis.
To secure your place, please email sarah.hartshorne@leics.gov.uk by the 15th May.
Staff / Volunteers from your organisation must be able to attend online workshops on the following dates:
- Workshop 1: Thursday 21st May, 10am – 12pm
- Workshop 2: Thursday 28th May, 1pm – 3pm
Delegates will need access to a computer. We will provide support and technical instruction where needed.
Programme Lead:
Verity Smith has worked for several national and local authority museums, predominantly across Yorkshire and the East Midlands, in the last 11 years. Her expertise lies within the respective fields of collections research, exhibition curation and interpretation, community engagement and volunteer management. A graduate of the School of Museum Studies at the University of Leicester, Verity has regularly returned to the department since gaining her MA in 2012 as a visiting lecturer. Since 2018,
Verity has worked as a freelance curator, consultant and writer. She is the current Chair of the Social History Curators Group (SHCG) and represents the network on the Subject Specialist Network (SSNs) Consortium.
