Recent academic research critically explores the ways in which those systems came to be, the limitations of their modes of description, and how those systems can be made more transparent, open, bespoke and participatory (see Hacıgüzeller et al. 2021). We look to bring together critical research and heritage practices to explore methods of radically rewriting, opening up, and democratising heritage documentation, and ways of measuring how experimental documentation affects engagement, impact, and re-use across diverse audiences. 

We are inspired by the concept of Visible Storage, through which museum storage facilities are designed as behind-the-scenes exhibition spaces. We extend this concept to online spaces, and invite diverse participants to experiment with dynamic and participatory documentation practices designed to facilitate impactful digital and analog engagement with changing heritage collections.

Project Aims

• Develop a network of researcher-practitioners working on creative approaches to heritage documentation

• Experiment with capturing and presenting creative responses to collections in heritage documentation systems

• Evaluate how online collection systems can benefit individuals and communities

• Share and consolidate partnerships with Yorkshire-based heritage organisations

• Develop ECR’s project management skills and provide a springboard for diversifying future grant capture

To date

We've held a wide range of workshops at the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York, as well as at Leeds Discovery Centre. You can read about our activities to date on the Past Events page.

This text first appeared on the White Rose Consortium for the Arts & Humanities website in 2023.