Project background

Art Presenters is a new project for Bolton Library, Museum and Archive Service, supported by NADFAS (National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies) and Bolton DFAS (Bolton Decorative and Fine Arts Societies). This project has been inspired by a similar programme that is currently run by National Museums Liverpool, based at the Lady Lever Art Gallery.

This project aims to identify ways in which the Museum can support young people in developing their talents so that they become more involved in the Museum but also the local community.

This project will take the form of six two-hour sessions which will take place after school. During this time the project plan aims to develop a learning ‘package’ to enthuse a small group of young people from Year 10 from 1-2 local schools to research and pilot a varied range of presentation styles inspired by the Museum’s arts collections.

The project will culminate in a celebration event when the young people will be given the opportunity to deliver their presentations to friends and family.

It is also intended that the young people’s presentations and resources will be available online on the Museum website, along with a little background information about their own art work. In addition, it maybe possible for the young people to present to the general public during special themed events during school holidays.

Project Objectives

To train and equip the young people approx. aged 14 to lead presentations to groups (e.g. peers or families) around the Museum Art Gallery.
To expand their interest in the arts through increasing their knowledge and understanding of Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive, its collections and operation, and provide a platform for them to act as ambassadors on its behalf.
To offer them experience of working in a cultural environment with cultural professionals.
To provide them with a work-based skill-set that can be used in their schooling and beyond, for example, presentation skills, time management, research skills and teamwork.
To give them an opportunity to contribute positively to their local community.
To encourage them to analyse different methods of speaking and delivery to improve presentation skills.
To enable them to look at how to analyse an artefact using a framework that can be applied to any medium.
To engage them in discussions concerning career choices within cultural venues.
To provide them with skills and resources to deliver practical activities to enhance the presentations/visitor experience.
To develop their confidence to deal with questions from visitors.
To work together (with the young people, the school/s and supporters of the project) to share resources, skills and knowledge for professional development, and disseminate project learning to the wider museum community.
To extend the project’s impact by running subsequent projects in the future and inviting the young people to return as peer-trainers.

Benefits to Partners

i) The Funders: From NADFAS’s point of view, this project illustrates and supports their outstanding reputation for working with young people to encourage and enhance their appreciation and understanding of art and our artistic heritage.

ii) The Museum: Through working closely with schools and other organisations, the Museum can learn how best to tailor programmes to curriculum needs and get feedback on how to overcome barriers to participation. The specialist funding offers the Museum an opportunity to resource a high quality sustainable programme that would otherwise not be possible.

iii) The Schools: Schools have the opportunity to enrich and enhance their pupils learning experience through working with art collections and specialist museum staff. Research has shown that working in the different context of a museum can have a significant impact on disinterested pupils and can improve the standard of work within the related topic. The school gains an opportunity to participate in a regional project and have their pupils work exhibited on the Museum’s website.

The project also recognises the importance of professional development for school staff; by encouraging teachers to participate in the sessions, the project offers them the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in using museums and galleries with the pupils – it is hoped that this will be of use beyond the life of the project.

Partnership Exchange

A. What the Museum offers the School

A comprehensive project for Art and Design pupils which can be used as part of a unit of coursework, including research and development as well as contextual studies.
Six two-hour sessions at Bolton Museum, Aquarium & Archive led by various members of Museum staff, including the Curator of Art and Development Manager. This will include behind the scenes access to the collections.
Two events at the Museum for project participants to deliver the presentations to their friends, families, and members of the public.
Costs: Refreshment costs will be met by the project as well as material costs and transport to the Museum.
A museum or school based planning meeting with the teacher and the project co-ordinator.
A summary of the project, along with the presentations and/or resources produced and pupils work will be displayed on a webpage of the Museum website.
Support of the project co-ordinator: Sally Tomlinson, Admin and Education Assistant, Bolton Library, Museum and Archive Service, Le Mans Cres, Bolton, BL1 1SE

B. What the Museum needs from the School

A designated Lead Teacher who can provide ongoing support throughout the project. We recognise that communication can be difficult during busy day to day class teaching. Museum staff will strive to keep communication within arranged meetings but we do ask that teachers get back to museum messages within 2 days to ensure smooth running of the project.

Support with project evaluation/information. Evaluation is an important part of the project. The school is best placed to judge the impact of the project on particular pupils, so the support of the Lead Teacher in this is essential and in ensuring the necessary documentation is completed. Teachers will be asked to complete an evaluation questionnaire before and after the project.

Responsibility for behaviour. The School/teachers should remain responsible for management and behaviour of the pupils. At least 1 teacher should remain with pupils during all sessions.

Permissions and consent. The School is asked to seek permission (by way of completion of a photography consent form) from the parents/carers of all the pupils taking part in the project, so that the Museum can document the project both online and in future publicity.

Cancellation of visits. Please aim to give as much notice as possible if for any reason you need to cancel or reschedule the Museum visits.

Completion of project work. The content of the project work by young people will be agreed by the teacher and Museum staff as to best suit the project aims and school curriculum needs within a realistic and achievable timeframe. Some additional support by the Lead Teacher may be needed and should be agreed between the teacher and the Museum. All work (presentations and resources, if used) must be completed by [date] and ready for printing (if required) so that this can be done in time for the first event taking place at the Museum on [date].