Norfolk Museum Service have been working to increase representation of LGBTQ communities and engage with queer spaces in Norwich. 

Freya Monk-McGowan, Collections Management Trainee at Norfolk Museum Service initiated a LGBTQ heritage project inspired by David Shenton’s ‘Duvet of Love’. The project aimed to commemorate the queer lives of Norwich, improve representation and celebrate the anniversary of 50 years since the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in England. The project contextualised the landmark ruling in a display with the ‘Duvet of Love’ at the Museum of Norwich and through a Queer trail inspired by local oral histories. Ideas around the work feature in this video for the Gay Times Honours– an evening that recognises the achievements of those who have made a vital contribution to the LGBT+ community.

For more information visit: norwichlgbtqheritageblog.wordpress.com

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Image: The Duvet of Love, David Shenton, 2016.

Community Engagement works closely with local community groups and residents to develop collaborative British Library projects.

Following a consultation in 2015-6 with the surrounding communities of St Pancras and Somers Town, Kings Cross and Bloomsbury wards in Camden, the Library has further expanded their Community Engagement work. Trainee Community Engagement Officer, Amber has supported the delivery of community engagement, community liaison and developing collaborative community projects led by community interest. 

The team work with residents to identify activities and areas of interest for research, and then work with expert teams and curators at the British Library to develop relevant projects. These range from one-off site visits for exclusive ‘Show and Tell’ events to larger scale collaborative events such as Bengali New Year which were ran with Age UK Camden and the Great Croft Resource Centre. They also take part in their community festivals to promote events in the library and engage in their sessions on how to gain confidence in employability, encouraging and supporting local youth providers to access the readers room. 

For more information visit: www.bl.uk/community-engagement

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The Museum of Croydon is built on the fascinating objects and stories of the people who have lived, loved and worked in Croydon. 

New research at the Museum of Croydon looks at the lives of Trinidadian brothers – Ralph and Otho Vignalë from Croydon, who served in the First World War. Heritage Trainee, Sam created a pop-up display earlier in the year which details the brothers’ service in the British West Indies Regiment. Sam has also tracked down a copy of a rare book by Ralph Vignalë and has included a charming family photo acquired in collaboration with Historycal Roots, a project aimed at raising awareness of the black and mixed heritage figures who have played a part in shaping the way society looks today. 

For more information visit: www.museumofcroydon.com

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Image: Raymond Vignale, Date Unknown. Museum of Croydon.

Heritage at a World in London on Resonance FM explores the diverse connections in museums and historic homes.

Each week one of our SOCL trainees finds new ways of interpreting the UK’s leading cultural institutions, illustrated by specially selected playlists of sound clips, interviews and music from around the World. Discussing forgotten histories, contemporary art and community engagement, the shows provide a unique insight into the work of SOCL trainees and their diversity-led approach to arts and heritage.The shows are hosted by DJ Ritu and produced by Layla Gatens, Communications and Project Coordinator at Culture&.  

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Listen to the shows here:

Re-animating Archives
Layla Gatens, Culture&

[mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/heritage-at-a-world-in-london-14th-march-2017/ width=100% height=100 hide_cover=1 light=1][mixcloud] http://www.mixcloud.com/artist-name/long-live-set-name/ [/mixcloud]

Social Radicalism and Making the Arts for Everyone
Charlotte Anderton, Southbank Centre

[mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/heritage-at-a-world-in-london-21st-march-2017/ width=100% height=100 hide_cover=1 light=1][mixcloud]http://www.mixcloud.com/artist-name/long-live-set-name/ [/mixcloud]

Inconspicuous Heritage: Exploring LTM’s Collections
Donata Miller, London Transport Museum

[mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/heritage-at-a-world-in-london-21st-march-2017/ width=100% height=100 hide_cover=1 light=1][mixcloud]http://www.mixcloud.com/artist-name/long-live-set-name/ [/mixcloud]

Transported by Women
Natasha Cambridge, London Transport Museum

[mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/heritage-at-a-world-in-london-21st-march-2017/ width=100% height=100 hide_cover=1 light=1][mixcloud]http://www.mixcloud.com/artist-name/long-live-set-name/ [/mixcloud]

Hidden Histories at Kensington Palace: The Georgians
Jatinder Kailey, Historic Royal Palaces

[mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/heritage-at-a-world-in-london-21st-march-2017/ width=100% height=100 hide_cover=1 light=1][mixcloud]http://www.mixcloud.com/artist-name/long-live-set-name/ [/mixcloud]

Diverse Histories
Shereen Hunte, Historic Royal Palaces

[mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/heritage-at-a-world-in-london-21st-march-2017/ width=100% height=100 hide_cover=1 light=1][mixcloud]http://www.mixcloud.com/artist-name/long-live-set-name/ [/mixcloud]

In Search of Hidden Histories
Freya Monk-McGowan, Norfolk Museum Service

[mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/heritage-at-a-world-in-london-21st-march-2017/ width=100% height=100 hide_cover=1 light=1][mixcloud]http://www.mixcloud.com/artist-name/long-live-set-name/ [/mixcloud]

Royal Collection Trust: Presenting Magnificence
Alice Houghton, Royal Collection Trust

[mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/heritage-at-a-world-in-london-21st-march-2017/ width=100% height=100 hide_cover=1 light=1][mixcloud]http://www.mixcloud.com/artist-name/long-live-set-name/ [/mixcloud]

Collecting the Royal Collection Trust
Tanaya Basu De Sarkar, Royal Collection Trust

[mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/heritage-at-a-world-in-london-21st-march-2017/ width=100% height=100 hide_cover=1 light=1][mixcloud http://www.mixcloud.com/artist-name/long-live-set-name/ /mixcloud]

Unravelling the Links between Art and the Army
Carine Harmand and Jetmire Dvorani, National Army Museum

[mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/heritage-at-a-world-in-london-21st-march-2017/ width=100% height=100 hide_cover=1 light=1][mixcloud]http://www.mixcloud.com/artist-name/long-live-set-name/ [/mixcloud]

Unlocking the Remarkable World of Henrietta Howard at Marble Hill House
Mica Mannix, English Heritage

[mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/heritage-at-a-world-in-london-21st-march-2017/ width=100% height=100 hide_cover=1 light=1][mixcloud]http://www.mixcloud.com/artist-name/long-live-set-name/ [/mixcloud]

Birmingham and Its People
Emma McNicol, Birmingham Museums Trust

[mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/heritage-at-a-world-in-london-21st-march-2017/ width=100% height=100 hide_cover=1 light=1][mixcloud]http://www.mixcloud.com/artist-name/long-live-set-name/ [/mixcloud]

Community Spirit with The British Library
Amber Perrier, British Library

[mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/heritage-at-a-world-in-london-21st-march-2017/ width=100% height=100 hide_cover=1 light=1][mixcloud]http://www.mixcloud.com/artist-name/long-live-set-name/ [/mixcloud]

Then and Now: Connecting 1917 to the Present
Samuel Ali, Museum of Croydon

[mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/heritage-at-a-world-in-london-21st-march-2017/ width=100% height=100 hide_cover=1 light=1][mixcloud]http://www.mixcloud.com/artist-name/long-live-set-name/ [/mixcloud]

Herbert Toms, Original Hipster of Brighton
Henrik Yau, Brighton and Hove Museums

[mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/heritage-at-a-world-in-london-21st-march-2017/ width=100% height=100 hide_cover=1 light=1][mixcloud]http://www.mixcloud.com/artist-name/long-live-set-name/ [/mixcloud]

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Build Your Own Discovery is an access scheme for the adult community groups and education providers local to Kensington Palace.

Managed by the Learning and Engagement team, Build Your Own Discovery provides free access to the palace and engages local adults with the stories, collections and historic spaces in ways that are meaningful and relevant to them. This year, the scheme has encouraged a number of local community groups to engage with collections through creative writing workshops, themed visits and offering a space for community events. Trainee Learning Producer, Jatinder Kailey was responsible for reaching new groups, delivering training to group leaders and supporting them through the creation of resources and guides. 

For more information visit: hrp.org.uk/build-your-own-discovery

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Violet Nights is a monthly event at Southbank Centre which offers a space for young people to explore ideas, socialise and experience art.

Past events:

iGeneration: Being Human

Miss Representation

Do You Believe?

General Election Special: Power of Youth

Meltdown: We Need Some More Girls in Here

Afro Queer

Woke Twitter IRL

Art Exodus

Industry Prisons

Part of the Southbank Centre’s Youth programme, Violet Nights features music, performance and youth-panel discussions around current social and political issues that coincide with Southbank’s events and exhibitions. Charlotte Anderton, Trainee Festival Programmer, assisted the development and delivery of Violet Nights, including sessions focused on mental health, religion, young women and social media. 

Image: David Shrigley exhibition at Hayward Gallery, London. Photo by Linda Nylind. 29/1/2012. Courtesy of the Southbank Centre.

The London Transport Museum Poster Parade explores the concepts and themes of a unique archive of British graphic design. 

‘Re-imagining Historic Posters’ (27 January- 27 April 2017) aimed to explore how classic designs have inspired a new generation of artists throughout London Transport’s history. Whether promoting travel etiquette or sightseeing in the capital, these posters show us how memorable designs and messages can be cleverly reinterpreted for contemporary audiences.

The exhibition was curated by the London Transport Museum’s Trainee Curators, Donata and Natasha, who also delivered public tours as part of the museum’s Friday lates.

For more information visit: ltmuseum.co.uk/temporary-displays

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Image: Round London Sightseeing Tour, by Harry Stevens, 1973 © TfL from the London Transport Museum collection.