REM Lincolnshire MuBu

Press Release

14 December 2010

For Immediate Release

Lincolnshire Museums embrace the power of the digital network

Nine Lincolnshire museums are attracting visitors with digital projects by taking part in a groundbreaking initiative known as MuBu.

MuBu gives people across the East Midlands lots of new ways to find out about, be part of and enjoy their local museums with projects like “Out in the Sticks” and “My Woodhall Spa”

“Out in the Sticks” is an exciting photography and oral history project by Lincolnshire County Council and The Collection. Social media, blogging, films and photographs all combine online as a virtual voice to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) people living and working in Lincolnshire. Topics include personal experiences, first crushes, coming out and gay icons.

“Archive 2010 My Woodhall Spa” is generating a collection of film and images from visitors, museum volunteers and local young people. Films and slide shows include a first person perspective and show the sentimental value that the visitors and local community have for the museum. Submitted films and photographs are being posted onto a range of social sites including Facebook, Flickr and YouTube.

The museums in Lincolnshire hosting MuBu projects are:

Alford Manor House

Project: Access all Areas

Intergenerational project between volunteers (mostly 70+) and young people exploring Alford heritage. Outputs might include a DVD and YouTube extracts. Projects will explore the Lincolnshire dialect and how different generations communicate. http://www.mubu.org.uk/mywoodhallspa/

Church Farm Museum						Project: Black to Green
Looking at the change in farming and agriculture from non-carbon, through oil era, and in the future back to a non-carbon basis. A cartoon/film will be produced by students, using the collections to illustrate the changes. The film is to be launched as part of Skegness’s SO festival.
Doddington Hall		Project: Old, new, mostly borrowed and one blue
Linking with an exhibition of wedding dresses from the collection, local schools will collaborate to run an online competition to design a dress, which will then be made up by the students of Lincoln University.
Heritage Lincolnshire				Project: Local Heritage on line
Using historical sites to engage volunteers from local history groups in the creative digital interpretation of sites. Working with schools to produce an online tool-kit on how to make the most of heritage sites.
Lincolnshire Heritage Forum							Project: The young people’s guide to Lincolnshire museums
Working with V-involved to develop a digitisation project with young people. The Heritage forum will engage young people in creative projects; such as podcasting and film-making. Working across a number of museum sites.
Lincolnshire Life			Project: Fashions from the Past
This project focuses on the 18th Century costume collection held at the Museum of Lincolnshire Life. The project will provide an opportunity for wider access to the collection and new interpretation will be developed through audience interaction and utilizing digital technology.
The Collection	Project: Out in the Sticks
A photography and oral history project designed to give a presence and voice to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) people living and working in Lincolnshire. LGBT individuals and communities appear to be missing from Lincolnshire’s history as there is little evidence available in local museums to illustrate LGBT life. http://www.mubu.org.uk/outinthesticks/
Trent Vale Partnership					Project: Village uncovered, Marton community heritage
An archaeology project with community involvement. They will work with a local school and the broader community to interpret finds through creative activities such as film-making and creative writing.
Woodhall Spa Cottage					Project: Archive 2010 – My Woodhall Spa
Cross-generational learning with museum volunteers, the U3A and young people creating trails from museum collections of Woodhall Spa images with contemporary views. Training staff and volunteers in using social networking applications and building a strong online presence.

For further information on all these projects visit www.mubu.org.uk

Ends For further information, images and interviews please contact Communications Agency Holland Alexander, on 0116 216 6868.

Information for Editors:

For further information, images and interviews please contact Communications Agency Holland Alexander 0116 261 6868
MuBu is a Renaissance East Midlands programme. It supports museums in the provision of activities that link audiences and collections by providing grant funding and a supportive network for training and skills sharing. The idea behind the programme developed from consultation with audiences, museums and strategic partners, including MLA and Collections Trust. For more information go to: www.Mubu.org.uk
Renaissance East Midlands – Renaissance is the Museums Libraries and Archives Council’s ground-breaking programme to transform England’s regional museums. www.mla.gov.uk/renaissanceeastmidlands

REM Lincolnshire Heritage Awards Winners

press release

17.07.10

County museums are award winners

Lincolnshire Museums and heritage sites were announced as award winners at the Renaissance Heritage Awards award ceremony held at Alford Manor House on 16 July 2010.

The ceremony celebrated the work of museums and heritage collections throughout the county, with St Katherine’s – 900 years of History Heritage and Cultural Centre winning Museum of the Year.

The Awards, supported by Renaissance East Midlands, are in their fourth year, recognising excellence in museums and heritage across the county.

The 2010 winners are:

Best Event 2010

Winner: The Collection for Games Through The Ages

Best Exhibition 2010

Winner: The Collection and Lincolnshire Archives for Tennyson Transformed – Alfred Tennyson and Visual Culture

Inspiration Award for Best Special Project 2010

Winner: Lincolnshire Road Transport Museum for New Building

Work with Children and Young People 2010

Winner: Alford Manor House for ESAP – Extended Schools Arts project

Collections Care and Development 2010

Winner: Louth Museum for Creation of management database of Louth Museum’s collection

Best Student Placement Award 2010

Winner: Boston Guildhall and student Angela Waitland

People’s Choice Award 2010

Winner: Church Farm Museum

Hannah Gould, Lincolnshire Museum Development Officer and the co-ordinator for the Awards, said: “Choosing one winner from the high quality of entrants has been a really difficult task for the judges this year. The awards ceremony celebrates the work of all our county’s museums and heritage collections and reminds us how lucky we are to have access to such diverse and such high quality venues and exhibitions, providing great days out for all the family in Lincolnshire”.

ENDS

The Lincolnshire Renaissance Heritage Awards ceremony is today, Friday 16 July from 6.15 – 9pm, with the ceremony itself at 7pm.

Photo opportunity of the winners: 8.30pm or we can send images of the winners to you.

For more information and images contact:

Hannah Gould on 01507 329233 hannah.gould@leics.gov.uk or

Catherine Hallsworth on 0116 252 7392 catherine.hallsworth@leicester.gov.uk

Notes to Editors

The Lincolnshire Renaissance Heritage Awards are part of the East Midlands Renaissance Heritage Awards and similar awards are happening in Derbyshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire and Rutland.

Renaissance is a £150 million programme to transform England’s regional museums. For the first time, investment from central government is helping regional museums across the country to raise their standards and deliver real results in support of education, learning, community development and economic regeneration. Renaissance is helping museums to meet people’s changing needs – and to change people’s lives.

Holland Alexander. Be Inspired. Events, Marketing & PR Agency. London & Leicester.