Museum Makers are a unique team of individuals, groups and organisations shaping and transforming Wardown House, Museum and Gallery into a vibrant and cultural hub within the community under the umbrella of The Culture Trust Luton. A little gem on the Luton landscape, the museum has been delighting visitors, free of charge, since the 1930's. Luton nans have been taking their grandchildren there –
letting them raid the dressing up box and try on hundreds of hats, history-lovers have travelled for miles to see Roman vases and ancient toys, people picnicking in the park have wandered into the mysterious house to get out of the sun and discovered the hoard of treasures that lay within, art geeks have whiled away hours drinking in Roscoes and Kerns, buses of pupils from all over Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire have been brought there on school-trips and have gone home with a newfound understanding of local history and where they came from. Most people from Luton feel a sense of nostalgia and affection for Wardown House Museum and Gallery and there is a fast-growing group of members of the local community who want to see it protected for and loved by generations to come. Here’s the good news: We have a plan that we firmly believe has the potential to not only keep Wardown House open indefinitely, but could transform the museum into one of the most exciting and innovative museums in the UK and a thriving hub of activity, interaction and culture for the whole community to enjoy. Secure grant funding to launch a brand new project called The People’s Museum.
2. Launch a campaign asking people from the area – that’s you - to get involved in running, developing and transforming the museum.
3. Use highly skilled existing staff members to guide, train and equip members of the community, just like you, to create and run not just a museum of excellence, but the museum you want it to be. We have already completed the first task. Wardown House Museum and Gallery has been given £450,000 from the Arts Council to be spent finding, training and investing in teams of people we are calling ‘Museum Makers.’ And that’s where you come in. Wardown House Museum wants you. As a member of the local community, we want you to share your ideas, time, skills and passions to help shape a new future for the museum. We are asking for your time – whatever time you can give, from an hour a month to 3 days a week! But we’re not just asking for ‘hands on deck’. Museums Makers are going to be in the driving seat, making decisions about anything and everything that you might care about:
• What events we put on
• What exhibitions we show
• What artefacts we collect
• What the museum looks like
• How we operate
• How we run our business bits (like the cafe)
• How we raise money
• How we let people know about the museum and its events, and how we get the rest of the community to feel like it’s theirs
• What totally new ideas we can pursue
It’s a big ask. But it’s the ONLY thing that is going to save the museum. Time and time again we are blown away by the members of the community we meet; by their passion for and loyalty to Wardown House Museum. That’s why we feel so strongly that The People’s Museum can be a success. Because with your skills, knowledge and ideas, the possibilities are endless. If you think there is something you can offer the museum, whether it is an hour of your time, a creative idea, or a talent (in absolutely anything from design to chatting to people, from entertaining kids to working with numbers – there are so many dimensions to running a museum that we know we can use you!) please apply to become a Museum Maker. We can’t wait to work with you and dream some new dreams for the future of this special place at the heart of our town. With all our thanks,
The Museum Makers Team
