Fitzwilliam Museum Research Briefings
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This is a collection of research briefings that summarise projects undertaken by the Participation, Practice and Co-creation Research Community at the Fitzwilliam Museum.
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Item Fitzwilliam Museum Research Briefing: Connections Through Collections(2024) Farrell-Banks, DavidContext: This document summarises the "Connections Through Collections" project conducted by the Fitzwilliam Museum. It addresses how participatory research can place communities at the core of museum practices, aiming to enhance local relevance and achieve organizational change. Grounded in the International Council of Museums’ ethos of ethical and community-participative work, the project showcases co-created initiatives that challenge traditional curatorial norms. Aims: The research sought to center participant agency, knowledge, and lived experiences, fostering active collaboration between museum staff and community co-researchers. It aimed to explore how participatory methodologies can transform museum practices, broaden audience engagement, and integrate community perspectives into collection development and exhibition design. Methods: Employing participatory action research, the project involved 30 workshops with 10 community co-researchers and 25 museum staff. Activities included co-curating the "Tensions of Belonging" display, delivering family and public events, and gathering qualitative data through interviews, surveys, and interactive responses. Collaborative analysis was conducted to ensure community-led insights and decisions. Findings: The project enhanced the Fitzwilliam Museum’s relevance and accessibility for local audiences, as evidenced by increased local attendance and the success of the "Tensions of Belonging" exhibition. It fostered co-researcher agency, skill development, and well-being, with participants engaging in exhibition curation, public speaking, and research. Institutionally, the project catalyzed methodological shifts, integrating participatory practices into exhibitions and contributing to organizational and cultural change. Implications: The initiative demonstrates the potential of participatory research to democratize museum practices, enriching both community and institutional experiences. Other cultural practitioners might consider its emphasis on care, empathy, and community agency as an avenue for creating inclusive, dynamic museum spaces. Long-term impacts include the embedding of participatory models into institutional frameworks and increased accessibility to diverse audiences.Item Fitzwilliam Museum Research Briefing: Family Welcome(2024) Wallis, NicolaContext: This document outlines the Family Welcome Project conducted at the Fitzwilliam Museum in 2024, emphasizing the importance of family visitors to museums. Families are key contributors to audience development due to their loyalty, secondary spending, and role in fostering lifelong cultural engagement. The project aims to understand and improve the museum's engagement with families, especially those with young children, and to address social inequalities through early cultural experiences. Aims: The project sought to determine what constitutes an effective family welcome at the Fitzwilliam Museum, explore participatory and co-creative research methodologies with young children, and support museum staff in developing confidence and pride in their family-focused initiatives. Methods: Using participatory action research and the Mosaic Approach, data was generated with 15 families with children aged 0-3 over six months. Activities included play, scrapbooking, and photography, with families receiving tools and bursaries for independent research visits. Community outreach engaged 133 participants, complemented by museum staff collaborations and scoping discussions with sector organizations. Reflective thematic analysis identified key findings. Findings: Four themes—building, collection, atmosphere, and experience—emerged as essential to a welcoming museum. Families appreciated the physicality of the museum's architecture and the opportunity for sensory and physical engagement. The collection's objects fostered connections and relationship-building. The museum atmosphere supported family autonomy and exploration, offering a break from routine. Experiences allowed families to connect socially, with the museum offering a space for learning and relationship-building. Implications: Insights highlight how museums can support young children and their families by enhancing accessibility, interactivity, and inclusivity. Other educators and cultural practitioners might learn from the project’s emphasis on family co-creation, sensory engagement, and the role of museum spaces in nurturing early childhood development and social connections.