Outside the Exhibit

We are thrilled to have started on the delivery of our new 3 year OUTSIDE THE EXHIBIT project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Through walks, dance, art, photography, film and exploration of the museum collections, participants will explore ‘green spaces’, considering advocacy of these spaces, addressing urbanisation, identity and community pride in cherished communal assets.

The project will see us working with four amazing local museums and seven talented artists. Let us introduce you...

1. North Hertfordshire Museum is located in the heart of Hitchin and celebrates the people, places and stories that make the district unique, from geological times to the present day. Mixed media artist Anji Archer and choreographer Jane Turner will be working with the museum and local communities to bring art, heritage and the outdoors together in exciting new ways.

2. Artists Sam Ivin and Kasia Truefitt will be collaborating with Watford Museum to explore how our relationship with nature and place can inspire new creative stories and shared experiences. Sam is a visual artist whose photography and participatory projects give voice to people and communities whose stories are often unheard. Kasia is a multidisciplinary artist and creative facilitator exploring identity, belonging and community through movement and visual expression.

3. Royston Museum is situated in the heart of the town, and its exhibits share the town’s rich heritage, from its ancient past to the creativity of its present community. Artists MJ and Elaine Thomas will be working with the museum and participants to uncover how Royston’s green spaces and heritage can spark creativity, connection and new ways of seeing the world around us. MJ is a creative practitioner and dance artist whose work blends movement and digital art. Elaine is a community dance artist dedicated to inclusive, accessible movement practice.

4. Stevenage Museum tells the evolving story of the town, from its early history to its pioneering New Town identity.  Anji Archer and Maga Judd will collaborate with the museum to creatively explore the town’s heritage and green spaces, celebrating connection, creativity and belonging. Maga is a performance artist and creative facilitator whose practice explores human connection, ecology and the emotional resonance of place. Anji is a mixed media artist, specialising in traditional woven tapestry as well co-director of Open Art Box, a local organisation facilitating art activities for people living with dementia and their carers.

We look forward to sharing more about the project soon.