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Alex Dawson

“Collections Trust’s services are practical and relevant - because we have contact with so many people who look after collections we know what’s needed and how to deliver it.”

Alex Dawson
Head of Programmes

Revisiting Collections

Overview

This course provides an introduction to the Revisiting Collections project. It examines the origins of the project and the methodology set out in the Revisiting Collections Toolkit.

The Revisiting Collections toolkit explains how to identify and document ‘hidden' knowledge about your collections, as well as ‘new' or non-traditional knowledge which might be held by individuals outside your organisation. The course shows how to elicit and document this information. Using practical exercises and illustrative case studies the course explains how to become a ‘social documenter', using focus groups and discussions to enhance your documentation, develop audiences and find new ways of engaging users with your collections.

Objectives

By the end of the workshop participants will have:

  • Understood the emerging role of museums as ‘knowledge brokers';
  • Examined and understood the Revisiting Collections toolkit;
  • Understood how this relates to SPECTRUM and their existing documentation systems;
  • Learned about how to run productive focus groups;
  • Experienced the process of collecting and contributing non-traditional information about their collections;
  • Understood the wider benefits of this process for their museum collections and users.

Participants

This course is aimed at both museum employees and volunteers who are:

  • Keen to engage and develop new audiences;
  • Enhancing and extending their museum's knowledge of its collections;
  • Developing events and displays relevant to specific audiences;
  • Keen to translate the participative nature of the worldwide web to their museum and move their museum's documentation into the 21st century.

Training Methods

This workshop will deliver the objectives using a mix of presentations, practical exercises and informal discussion.

Preparation

Participants should have considered the documentation systems already in use in their museums and should bring details of an object they are enthusiastic and/or knowledgeable about.

Trainer

Collections Trust Trainer.

Length of course

1 day.