A new scheme has been launched in Northern Ireland as part of Community Relations and Cultural Awareness Week to bring museum collections and heritage archives out to local communities, aiming to make cultural heritage more accessible and help tackle social exclusion issues.
The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) writes:
Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has welcomed a new initiative which brings museum collections to the wider community. The ‘Out and About’ programme was launched in Ormeau Road Library today. The Minister praised a project which brings together museums and libraries, two branches of the wider DCAL family.
She added that collaboration is vital if we are to maximise our cultural offering, and engage effectively with people across the north.
The Minister said: ‘National Museums NI is working in partnership with other DCAL organisations, such as Libraries NI, in order to bring more of its collections and exhibitions directly out into the community. As DCAL Minister my top priority is to promote social and economic equality and tackle poverty and social exclusion. I also believe that local communities should have more opportunities within their own areas to access and learn about our publicly held cultural and heritage assets. This is important if we are to effectively address inequalities in our society and bring about positive social change.
‘National Museums’ ‘Out and About’ programme is designed to help improve access to stored collections and bring more artefacts and exhibitions into the heart of communities. I am delighted that National Museums and Libraries NI are collaborating on this issue and that local libraries are now being used as venues for ‘Out and About’ workshops and displays.’
The display at Ormeau Road Library includes archaeological artefacts such as tools, weapons and jewellery. Members of the public had the opportunity to learn about and handle the objects.
The Minister said: ‘I am aware that National Museums is planning to develop community access and engagement programmes with other organisations in the DCAL family, including the Arts Council and NI Screen. This is welcome news, I encourage all DCAL arm’s-length bodies to support National Museums’ community outreach initiatives in every way possible.’
As part of the ‘Out and About’ programme National Museums, in partnership with Libraries NI, will be extending access to museum stored collections. This will be done through a series of community workshops and exhibitions in libraries located in areas identified as Urban Villages under the Executive’s Together: Building a United Community Strategy.
The Minister said: ‘This is one of a number of DCAL projects taking place during Community Relations and Cultural Awareness Week. Across culture, arts, sport and languages there are events which aim to engage communities and ultimately bring people together.
‘Collaboration and innovation is vital if we are going to bring our cultural offering directly to communities and reach out to those most in need.’
