Re-imagining the World Wildlife Gallery – VOLUNTEER CALL-OUT!

We’re looking for local volunteers to help us write creative and engaging labels for some of our rare animal specimens.

Following a fantastic consultation phase and with thanks to our community contributors, Kendal Museum has a ‘new vision community plan’ for reimagining our nationally significant World Wildlife Gallery. This is the first time the museum has officially facilitated a co-production project, and we’ve been overwhelmed by positive support and invigorating critical perspectives.

We are very excited to enter a phase of implementation this summer, 2024, and are eager to ensure that the project remains community-led…

Could you help shape our Natural History story to be more inclusive and transparent? You could be passionate about the environment, animals, climate or decolonising, no prior experience necessary.

We’re looking for volunteer researchers and content writers who are: 

• Interested to undertake research in relation to one of the following specimens: polar bear, thylacine, butterflies, swift, brain coral, pearl mussel, crayfish.
• Able to draft a descriptive label which includes details about the specimen, species history, cultural and biological significance, and relation to current social and environmental concerns or local action.
• Happy to be supported by the museum curatorial team and the community Reimagining Lead.
• Willing to collaborate or take creative control over one label of up to 300 words.
• Able to volunteer time to this project over June and July 2024.

Your name as author will appear on the new display elements. We are especially interested in stories that can signpost to crucial ongoing environmental action and activism that links to our collection.

Please register your interest ASAP and before the end of May to info@kendalmuseum.org.uk with Reimagining in the subject line.

Note:

There is an access fund related to this opportunity. If you feel you would like to participate but would need remuneration, please be in touch with us. Depending on demand it is possible to support your work with a grant of up to £100.

Please also be in touch to discuss any access adjustments.

Phase 1 call-out

This October, 2023, we launched a call-out for project volunteers to be involved in a reinterpretation of Kendal Museum’s World Wildlife Gallery.

As described in the poster, this group of local volunteers will act as community contributors for the project through to the new year. We are aiming to address gaps in our current interpretation of the artefacts to include perspectives on issues such as climate change, decolonisation, biodiversity loss, animal rights and other underrecognized areas. This could relate to the international origins of the artefacts, or more local experiences of land, wildlife and hunting.

No prior knowledge of these issues is necessary, only enthusiasm to discuss and share, as well as an interest in the museum and its displays!

We especially welcome volunteers from global majority backgrounds and those under the age of 25.

Please register your interest ASAP to info@kendalmuseum.org.uk with Reimagining in the subject line.