The Atkinson has been chosen as one of only 15 museums across the country, to join the new national Happy Museum Affiliate Scheme.
The Happy Museum is a new way of thinking about museums and the role they can have in society. It provides a leadership framework for museums to increase their impact on individual wellbeing and community sustainability. Each Affiliate will take part in a tailored introductory workshop and a peer developed programme of seminars, exhibitions, workshops, placements and other events.
The Atkinson, Southport’s arts complex will benefit from being part of a supportive and collaborative network of major organisations including Oxford University Museums, the Design Museum London, National Trust Midlands and Chester Zoo.
Emma Anderson, Director of The Atkinson, said; “This opportunity has come at the perfect time for us. We are thinking in new ways about how we work with communities and with families across the borough, and the Happy Museum network will support us by sharing new, radical ideas and ways of working, and by connecting us with some fantastic organisations. The network is also concerned with big issues such as climate change and social justice, and these themes are embedded within Sefton’s 2030 vision.”
Happy Museum is a nationally recognised organisation that believes in the diversity and sharing of practice –connecting learning with the arts, heritage, social services, the third sector, digital, design and beyond. Launched in 2011 Happy Museum has been working to create exciting new museum programmes and partnerships for the future.
For more information on the Happy Museum Project please visit happymuseumproject.org
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EDITORS’ NOTES
For interviews or press tickets/photos please contact Emma Lloyd Emma.lloyd@sefton.gov.uk / 0151 934 2129
About Happy Museum
The Happy Museum Project (HM) brings together thinking around sustainability and wellbeing and explores how these, together offer an approach to creating more sustainable and resilient museums and communities. Since our inception in early 2012 we have initiated and worked with a growing Community of Practice through funded commissions, open workshops and sharing of tools and resources. HM has a commitment to cease to exist as a discrete organisation by 2020, but to have a sustainable legacy.
Principles
- Create the conditions for wellbeing
- Value the environment and be a steward of the future as well as the past
- Be an active citizen
- Pursue mutual relationships
- Learn for resilience
- Measure what matters
About The Atkinson
The Atkinson is Southport’s beautiful home for music, theatre, art, poetry, literature and history, right in the middle of Lord Street in Southport. The stunning 19th century buildings were refurbished in 2013 to create a really welcoming family friendly multi art-form venue with a strong contemporary feel.
The Atkinson offers an exciting and varied destination for families, cultural tourists and arts enthusiasts alike, with a full day and night time offer. Wander through the major exhibitions and see performances from some of the UK’s foremost musicians, actors, performers and companies, films, family activities and much more.
Find out about Sefton’s heritage with amazing tales of the sea, Red Rum, Dan Dare and Motor racing in the Museum and then ‘Discover Ancient Egypt’ in our Egyptology Gallery, this remarkable collection of archaeology was discovered by Mrs Goodison from Bootle and until 2015 had not been seen for over 40 years.
Our lovely gift shop is well worth a visit, with its handmade in Merseyside jewellery and crafts collection and Southport memorabilia and then relax and take in your day in our Bakery with a scrumptious café and coffee.
Posted on 23 February 2017 under Just announced