A 4-week online programme introducing young people to the place of writing in museums and enabling them to create their own writing in response to collections. Participants explored their interests and amplified their voices on issues that were important to them, as they were offered a platform for their writing through publication on our website and promotion on our social media channels.
Participants explored a wide range of writing forms – museums labels, poetry, reviews, blogs and social media content. We challenged ideas of writing in the museum, particularly signage and labels, as being neutral and responded creatively and critically to illustrate this. We looked at the practice of ekphrasis, writing poetry in response to museum objects, as a way of engaging with objects, finding new meanings within them and even inspiring further art.
Participants created imaginary reviews of exhibitions they would create if they had curatorial power and also crafted articles on issues within the museum sector. The blog form directly provided an outlet for participants to use their voice and write about their ideas for and interests in the museum sector. In our final week, we turned to look at how technology and social media can be a platform to amplify writing and collaboratively curated a Twitter thread to practise this. This was followed through with the online publication and promotion of participants’ writing.
Virtually (Re)Writing History
The amazing outcomes of the Creative Writing programmes have been comprised in a series of publications, designed by RRR participants and talented illustrator Hannah Sharp (who was part of the first Creative Writing programme).
The publication design was fed into by members of the original group, culminating in a publication that fits their perceptions of what they’ve written and its place alongside the museum’s collection.
We hope you enjoy reading these creative responses, in a design that authentically showcases them. Flick through the digital version below or find a limited supply of physical copies at Ulster Museum in the near future – keep an eye on our social channels for updates.
