At York Museums Trust we are aware that there are barriers to connecting to our collections. Our work with communities is a step on the way to address these obstacles and help us inspire, share and care for our shared cultural heritage.  

We believe that community partnerships are essential to our work and will contribute and help individuals to explore their self-expression, make available opportunities for their personal development and help to steer the work of York Museums Trust. 

York Museums Trust is working to make our community partnerships more equal and available to a wide range of people. If you would like to work with us, look at our current projects below or contact our Communities Engagement Researcher Philip Newton (philip.newton@ymt.org.uk) 

Recent projects

Heritage Hunters

In late 2021/early 2022, York Museums Trust partnered with York Explore to work with people from Hull Road, to look back in time and find out more about the people who have lived in the area. This was not only a research project but a way to meet new people nearby!

Takeovers 

A Takeover is when York Museums Trust invites a community, we are working with, to take over jobs normally done by staff. This allows our us to see a new way of doing things by bringing in new voices, new experiences and giving up some control over our public platforms. 

How can you be involved?  

We are experimenting with ways our communities can take over while we are at reduced opening so for now this will be limited to our digital platforms. However, once restrictions have been lifted and the Trust is at pre-Covid-19 capacity, takeovers will include physical interventions in the museum. For now, here are some options for you to choose from.  

• Put together a series of posts on social media of objects from our collection that you connect with  
• Tell us about a specific history, ancient or recent, from your community   
• Short interviews/videos of people from your community discussing their histories  

• An online tour of one of our exhibitions  
• Share something surprising from behind-the-scenes.  
• Write a blog  
• Curate an online exhibition   
• Online quiz/crafts/skills sharing   

• Share information about your campaigns and priorities    

And of course, you can suggest other ways to takeover! 

If you want to know more, Communities Engagement Researcher Philip Newton (philip.newton@ymt.org.uk) 

Our current partners 

York Travellers Trust  

York City of Sanctuary  

York LGBT Forum and York Pride 

York LGBT History Month  

Welcome to York Programme  

The Good Organisation  

York Human Rights City  

York Local Area Coordinators  

Kyra Womens Project  

Refugee Action York  

SASH