Five Isle of Wight museums reach new audiences through the community engagement project ‘It’s Your Museum’. The project was initiated and managed by Creative Island, delivered by project manager Lisa Kerley. Museums were supported in identifying the audiences they wanted to work with and how to reach community partners. There was also a focus on the unique and important collections they look after.
The five museums: The Classic Boat Museum, Brading Roman Villa, Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Dinosaur Isle Museum, and The Shipwreck Centre & Maritime Museum, worked with a range of community partners across the island.
Isle of Wight National Landscape along with the Arts Council funded the project. The Isle of Wight National Landscape unit is funded annually via a grant from the Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
The full case study is available to download from this link (PDF opens in window)
“From the outset I encouraged the museum partners to think about how their museums can help to improve quality of life, health and wellbeing of residents on the Island. We explored how crucial community partners are in engagement work and how the most effective way of reaching new audiences would be by networking with community providers. This approach also enabled the partners to reach some of the people in our community with the greatest need who have subsequently benefited most from the engagement.”
Lisa Kerley project manager
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway (IWSR) worked with older audiences, in particular people with dementia.
“This is the best day I’ve had in years, I loved the train ride as it made me think about when I was a little girl”
Quote from a resident at Northbrooke House
Brading Roman Villa focused on local children, young people and families.
“The activities were very inclusive and all children could participate no matter their age or disabilities, as there was something for all and the activities adapted to children’s needs”
Sarah Wherry, Manager of Scallywags
Dinosaur Isle focused on engaging secondary school-aged young people for the project.
“It’s important that museums never underestimate the power of their collections, in particular, genuine objects and how objects can inspire awe and wonder.”
The Shipwreck Centre and Maritime Museum focused on developing closer relationships with its local community geographically.
“I really enjoyed listening to the history, touching the artefacts and learning about what was on the wrecks”
Participant feedback
The Classic Boat Museum focused on older people and wellbeing.
“A wonderfully relaxing way to learn about our history, very enjoyable, thank you”
Participant feedback