Agenda item

The Director of Tourism, Culture and Inward Investment submits a report providing an overview of Leicester Museums & Galleries’ Museum Engagement programme, which is funded by Arts Council England (ACE).

The Director of Tourism, Culture and Inward Investment submitted a report providing an overview of Leicester Museums & Galleries’ Museum Engagement programme, which is funded by Arts Council England (ACE).

The Assistant City Mayor for Culture, Libraries and Community Centres introduced the report and noted that the programme aimed to go out to residents rather than residents coming to the museums.  There were a number of buildings across the city where museum services were getting out and engaging with local residents, including Hamilton Library, the Brite Centre and Highfields Library.  This had generated interest amongst people which had in turn brought them in to engage with museums.  Leicester Museum and Art Gallery (LMAG) had been doing well in attracting investment, however, there was more to be done in terms of Councillors helping to get the message out, including through social media.  This programme was a cornerstone of the cultural strategy.

The Head of Arts and Museums and the Audience Development & Engagement Manager presented the report.

Key points included:

·       The Museum Service had been successful in obtaining funding from Arts Council England (ACE).  £1.2m had been awarded for 2023-26 and was currently being used for inclusive activities aimed at making museums  more relevant, involving more local people.  It had also funded fixed term posts to deliver activities to communities.

·       An additional year of funding had been applied for.  If this was successful it would run from April 2026 to March 2027.  Feedback from ACE had been positive.

·       The report gave a snapshot of the range of work undertaken.

·       Engagement with communities and audiences had been deepened across the city.  The aim was to increase participation, taking objects out to be enjoyed and for people to be inspired to take part in other activities.  An example of this was ‘Peppy the Polar Bear’ going to the Brite Centre and St Matthews Library. The team were focussed on engagement with objects that would otherwise be in storage.

·       Choice was important in so much as people having the opportunity to speak for themselves.  The ‘Popping to the Shops’ exhibitions and co-produced exhibitions were examples of this.  People could talk about their own histories and have their own voices.

·       Exhibitions on Narborough Road and Saffron Lane were in progress and would open in March.

·       Digital Engagement was breaking new ground, moving away from posters to new technology.  The social media and interaction had a large reach.  The service was a leading proponent of interactive labels.  This was a long-term investment; however, it was recognised internationally for pioneering.

·       People were encouraged to share their culture with people in communities.

The Committee were invited to ask questions and make comments. Key points included:

·       Museum staff were praised, and it was recognised that bringing culture to the community was important.

·       It was particularly recognised that museums provided free, warm, safe environments for people to learn and have a free day out.

·       Museums were seen as the jewel in the crown of Leicester.

·       It was good to see young people in museums taking in the atmosphere.  It was inclusive and felt like home for many people.

·       The visiting Renoir painting and exhibition had generated many positive comments and put Leicester on the map.

·       In response to requests for an expansion on the work done with schools on combatting exclusion, it was explained that a programme was developed in each funding cycle on combatting exclusion.  This could be looked at for expansion if the funding was available.

·       In response to a query about the possibility of bringing things to schools as well as libraries, it was explained that libraries already had infrastructure such as display cases for collections to be displayed, however, there was more work to do with Young People to bring them to museums.  Work had been funded by ACE and the Learning team was working with 94% of schools across the city.

·       It was looked to sustain better work experiences for people across the sector.  A pilot scheme would take place in May which would be developed over the next 13 years.

·       Engagement of schools on site had risen significantly from 6,000 before the Covid-19 pandemic to 21,000 now.  This would increase as new sessions came online.

·       When galleries were refreshed numbers would increase as strategic paths were followed.

·       It was felt to be important not to have exclusive buildings as buildings were about addressing both emotional and physical needs.  There was appetite to use spaces in sports centres for museum displays.  This could encourage people to visit museums, showing that the cost was low.  This built on what was already available.

·       The museums were praised for their front-line work with families in the cost-of-living crisis, providing holiday activities and somewhere for children to go.  As such it was good that museums were now coming to the people.

·       In response to a query about whether podcases or similar media could be made use of, it was explained that short films were being produced and digital versions of exhibitions were being created.  Further funding for broadcast-style events was being discussed.

·       Technology would change and expand opportunities to engage.  Digital technology had been built into the revitalisation of LMAG.  A Stage 1 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant has just been awarded to create an environment gallery and a ‘Story of Leicester gallery’. At Leicester Museum & Art Gallery.

·       New Galleries which are being developed will have a strong digital element, such as the animation at the Renoir exhibition.

·       In response to a suggestion of the possibility of a weekend history festival or a free open day for students at paid-for exhibitions such as Richard III, it was clarified that there was a county-wide history festival and there had been a conversation about a specific Leicester-based festival. 

·       There have been successes with Heritage Open Days, and Councillors’ help in getting organisations involved would be welcomed.

AGREED:

1)    That the elements of the report pertaining to Culture and Neighbourhoods be noted.

2)    That comments made by members of this commission to be taken into account by the lead officers.

3)    That Museum staff be congratulated.

4)    That a further report come to the Commission on the outcomes and findings and conclusion.