2006-2007 What is a Museum?
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Creative Connections delivered its first project at Sidlaw View Primary School, in partnership with Dundee City Council Education Department and was designed to serve as an introduction to what Galleries and Museums are about and what visitors can expect to do and see there. Focusing on the theme of collecting, pupils, parents and staff explored the role that museums play in securing our art and heritage.
The project began with classes from P1 to P7 being asked to select a theme and corresponding artwork or objects from the McManus collection, which were then sited in each class room, allowing children to investigate their chosen theme at close hand. Through a 16-week timetable of tailored workshops and handling sessions, children, parents and teachers worked with artists, drama workers and Arts & Heritage staff, in order to explore their chosen objects and themes.
As part of their project, each class and Family Learning Group participated in research visits to a relevant site, gallery or museum. These included visits to The Museum of Childhood and Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, Dundee University, Dundee Contemporary Arts, Stirling Old Town Jail, Central Library and Monikie Park.
In April 2006, an exhibition was held to mark the end of the project, bringing together the objects from the McManus collection and artwork created by the children. The exhibition was launched with a special open day, offering visitors opportunities to take part in art and museum activities, new and traditional games and listen to live Scottish music performances featuring Dundee’s own traditional singer, Sheena Wellington.
