Be Connected Network
An important part of The Beaney’s work as a National Portfolio Organisation is the museum’s Be Connected Network. Originally developed as a panel, the group have grown into a wide and dynamic community network, involved and active in the museum’s work.
Using the equalities characteristics as a framework, we have built relationships with organisations within Canterbury District who are dedicated to supporting underrepresented communities. Through conversations and collaborations we are building understanding and connections across our society and reflecting this in our visitor experiences, programming and collections.
Our current network represent a wide range of partners from across the District, and play a role in steering the work of Canterbury Museum & Galleries to ensure it is inclusive, relevant and accessible.
Current programme
Our current programme of work enables the Museum to explore the extent to which people feel arts and culture contribute to their sense of belonging, wellbeing, inclusion, and community.
Alongside our regular community groups, we will be arranging special exhibitions, workshops, and events to support this work.
In the coming years you can expect to see:
- Engaging co-curated exhibitions with local community groups and partners, such as our Open House temporary exhibition which ran in Autumn 2023.
- Changes to how some of our collection is labelled and displayed, as we work with visitors and groups to find new stories to some of our objects and artwork.
- Developments to our digital offer including our Listen Here, Listen Anywhere audio descriptions, creating more QR codes for visitors to use.
- Improvements to accessibility as we work with those with lived experience to shape our programming and displays.
- New Loans Box resources for use by schools and care settings to connect to the Museum collection.
- New partners and activity in the museum to help improve mental health and wellbeing.
Get involved
We can’t do this on our own – we need to work together with our visitors and communities!
Join a group or take part in a workshop
Find out what groups and workshops are happening at The Beaney by visiting the What’s On page.
Visitor Stories
We are seeking contributions of stories and information you may have about objects in our collection. The objects on display were collected at different times, from different places in different ways. Sometimes we know a lot about an object, and other times we need further information and research.
We are seeking:
- Personal responses
- Questions or queries
- Information from experience or research
We would gratefully receive any contributions. If you would like to make a contribution please complete this online form:
(alternatively, contributions can be made in writing in person at The Beaney, ask staff for details)
