MMU Beacons: Special Collections

We are working on a new project with MMU part of the beacons public engagement agenda (where the university reaches out to the community in which it is based). Their Special Collections department (see link) http://www.specialcollections.mmu.ac.uk/ is a resource with lots of interesting collections of objects and things  such as children’s + artist books, vintage posters, oddities, ceramic, glass and metal objects as well as the Northwest film archive. The Special collections are currently mainly used by Arts students but the resource is open to the general public to access. MMU contacted Zion to introduce them to community groups in Hulme, raising awareness of this fantastic resource and inviting them to the Collections to see the artworks, talk to the MMU staff and artists and take part in handling sessions.

The idea is to introduce people to the notion of collecting and to think about the meanings and stories found in objects. The items both from the University and people's personal objects spark discussons about stories, people’s histories, memories and ideas.

The project is a starting point to discuss more widely how local people interact with the University, question our relationship with it and inform how this might develop in the future. It’s a great opportunity for local people to develop closer links with MMU and you never know it could lead to a Hulme collection!

Some of the groups taking part so far have been

• Single Cell Collective
• Venture Arts
• North Hulme Adventure Playground
• Hulme Community Garden Centre
• St Philips primary School
• Hulme History Society