Here's an over view of their first two weeks from Leanne...
Week 1- Ideas and themes
As this was our first meeting, we started by looking through existing loan boxes to get an idea of how the loan boxes were used and what sort of objects were included in them. From this we began to think of what themes we could use with our loan box.
While brainstorming for possible ideas we used three of the main groups from the Unravelled exhibition, ‘Style and Status’, ‘Symbols and Stories’ and ‘New Owners and New Uses’ as a starting point. We came up with ideas across the three groups but focused more on ‘Style and Status’ and ‘Symbols and Stories’.
With ‘Style and Status’ we expanded it to include celebrations, looking at religious ceremonies, festivals and national holidays across different cultures. For example, weddings and funerals to Christmas and Diwali.
Week2 - Objects
This week we went through more objects from the collection. We went through the items while keeping our themes in mind and chose 5-10 items each. These were chosen based on how interesting we found them, potential stories that were linked with them and if they would work as part of our loan box with our current theme.
Once we had each picked objects we were given a copy of the questions that will be used in the information pack that will eventually go with our loan box. We will be using these questions as we go through the objects and research them.
Leanne
Access Artefacts is Nottingham City Museums and Galleries' artefacts loans service for schools and community groups. Each of their handling loans resources contains unique museum artefacts, as well as a comprehensive activity pack for group leaders for use in their own community settings.
Some of the community resources they currently offer are-
World Stories - Special objects from across the world. Activity ideas and additional resources all included.
Illuminated Stories - Beautiful books from many years ago. Includes full activity pack and Object information.
Treasures - A variety of personal items from the past, loved and treasured by their owners. Includes reminiscence and other activity ideas.
Creative Thought - Artefacts relating to food and drink across time and cultures plus lots of hands on activities ideas. Created with adults with learning disabilities, but also suitable for many other groups.
Pretty Useful - This resources investigates objects from around the world that are both functional and decorative. Great inspiration for arts groups or just those interested in crafts.
What's Under Your Feet - Investigate lost Nottingham. Focusing on 5 archaeological sites across the city that have little or no visible remains today.
The Quest box - A light hearted look at old Nottingham through artefacts, hands-on quiz style activities and a specially created board game!
From de Sunshine to de Snow Exhibition - Developed closely with members of the African Caribbean community this exhibition tells the stories of those who travelled from the Caribbean to Nottingham between the 1950's and 1970's.
Sankofa Exhibition - To mark the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade act in March 1807, Nottingham City Museums and Galleries embarked upon a project to commemorate this significant chapter in history. These exhibition panels show the development and inspiration for the project, the panels are accompanied by a Globe of freedom for display.
Resources for early years - We have resources developed for early years groups based around storybooks. 'Bibi's Museum Adventure' from a specially commissioned Childrens' book with related African artefacts and activity ideas. 'Hari at the Castle'Follow Hari, a young Sikh boy, on his visit to the Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery. We now offer facilitated Museum Stories sessions with these resources for more information
For more info click here