Action research with our Community of Practice Measuring what matters is at the heart of what we do with both action and academic research and development (R&D). Twenty-two competitively commissioned museums conduct our action research, and make up a Community of Practice brought together for development days. Open events and invited symposium attendees give a […]
Read More →The Happy Museum creates, tests and shares it’s practice through: Action research working with museums across the UK through a 5-Year Study and funded commissions in 22 museums forming a core to a growing community of practice. Fostering peer-learning and space for deeper and more innovative thinking across the community of practice through the creation […]
Read More →After several years combining action and academic research our museum partners can share practical and in-depth learning. These resources include case studies in individual museums and on common themes, tools to ‘measure what matters’ and reports and links to the work of Happy Museums and others. to plan and review organisational change to gather a […]
Read More →Yesterday, the Happy Museum Project (HMP) held an exciting Open Workshop on Measuring What Matters at the beautiful Fazeley Studios in Birmingham. Attended by representatives from 33 museums and arts organizations, including Bristol Museum, Bilston Craft Gallery and the Mental Health Museum, the day proved to be a great success. HMP Associate, Hilary Jennings, and […]
Read More →Here are the Happy Museum Principles Click on each Principle heading for more information as well as relevant case studies, tools and materials. Create the conditions for wellbeing Why? Communities who are Learning together, Interacting with each other, Feeling happy, active and worthwhile, Environmentally aware and caring for their surroundings (see our LIFE survey) will […]
Read More →Commissioning process Symposia The Happy Museum Project is a creative enquiry to re-imagine the purpose of museums. The brainchild of Tony Butler, the Project was borne out of observations he made in his then role as Director of the Museum of East Anglian Life at Stowmarket. Supported by a Paul Hamlyn Foundation Breakthrough Award his […]
Read More →Woodhorn Charitable Trust, Stand-up for Woodhorn, 2013-2014 The links between laughter and wellbeing are well established. Laughter releases endorphins, increases oxygen to the blood, promotes relaxation and boosts the immune system. With this in mind, Woodhorn commissioned a ‘Comedian in Residence’ to explore the part comedy can play in facilitating meaningful connections between people and […]
Read More →What’s Your Story? Using Technology as a Catalyst for Engagement and Ownership of Cultural Heritage, (Storiel) Gwynedd Museum & Art Gallery (GMAG) 2013-14 GMAG partnered with the Wales Centre for Behavioral Change in order to build upon a current theme in museum studies – the ways in which “museums can facilitate, and not just impart meaning” (Petrov, 2012). […]
Read More →Time capsule Simple, fun, workshop approach; before and after activity to identify personal or social outcomes. Time Capsule is a relaxed but engaging and fun tool that captures changes in opinion or sentiment connected to an issue or place. This tool was developed by Happy Museum commission Reading Museum and adapted for more general use. Time Capsule could […]
Read More →The Happy Museum was delighted to invite Tom Crompton of the Common Cause Foundation to speak at a recent gathering of our 5-Year Study Group of museums. Tom spoke about the Foundation’s research into Human Values and Frames and opened up a discussion into the implications and opportunities of this work in museums. He observed: […]
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