People’s History Museum (PHM) is opening its doors digitally to invite families to join the national museum of democracy for some half term fun. The museum’s Learning Team and freelance artists that it works with have put together a programme designed to inspire creative campaigning, playful protest, democratic discovery and vital voters.
All the half term activities form part of Ideas Worth Exploring, a programme of digital exploration that enables people to participate with People’s History Museum remotely until it is able to open to the public again.
Doodle Den / Available any time /Age range: 7+
How to take part: phm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Doodle-Den-There-Is-No-Planet-B-placard-@-Peoples-History-Museum.pdf
Doodle Den is all about scribbling, sketching and silliness. Pick up a pencil and something to doodle on (if you are using recycled materials, then even better!), make a den from chairs and blankets, get yourself comfy with cushions and then you are all set. The doodle challenges created by PHM’s Learning Team will take your imagination on a journey and explore the ideas for the changes you’d like to see. What would the world look like if it was ruled by children?
The Fabric of Protest / Saturday 23 May 2020 (2.00pm to 3.00pm) / Age range: 11+
How to take part: join in on Instagram @phmmcr
The Fabric of Protest is a textile workshop led by artist Helen Mather full of stitching, collaging, sharing and chatting that’s creative starting point is the museum’s collection. For this session the inspiration could not be more appropriate, with the ‘There Is No Planet B’ placard taking centre stage as a reminder of how the recent lockdown has impacted on people’s relationship with the natural world. This piece was collected at the first Youth Climate Strike in Manchester (15 February 2019), with the reverse reading ‘If you don’t act like adults we will’.
The placard, like so many protest banners, was made resourcefully just as the session is designed to be. A selection of fabrics, colourful paper (magazines, wrapping paper), recycled pots and wrappers, sewing needle and pins, threads and scissors are all that is needed with a downloadable guide to help participants prepare available here: phm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/The-Fabric-of-Protest-online-May-2020-@-Peoples-History-Museum.pdf
My First Protest Song / Thursday 4 June 2020 (11.00am to 11.40am) / Age range: under 3s and their families
How to take part: join in on Facebook @PHMMcr
Originally a session for babies and tots taking place in the museum, My First Protest Song has a new online home. This fun and energising session is led by singer-songwriter Matt Hill who will strum out some toe tapping tunes from times of change on his guitar for you to sing, dance or play along to. So grab your shakers and drums and get ready for a sing along.
Vital Voters / Available any time / Age range: 10 to 18
How to take part: phm.org.uk/vital-voters
Calling all young film-makers! The environment, greener transport, the natural world, animal welfare; whatever the ideas worth fighting for that matter to you, Vital Voters will provide the inspiration to bring your campaign to life on film. This immersive experience enables young people to explore democracy using their voices to see what a powerful force for change it can be.
Download the Vital Voters guide to film-making where you find insider tips on scripts, storyboards, sound effects and more. Submit your completed film and you could find it making an appearance on the Vital Voters gallery: phm.org.uk/vital-voters/future/
The full Ideas Worth Exploring programme of activities can be found here: phm.org.uk/learn/ideas-worth-exploring
People’s History Museum is currently closed due to Covid-19, but you can stay in touch by visiting phm.org.uk, signing up to the e-newsletter, subscribing to the blog, or following the museum on social media on Twitter @PHMMcr, Facebook @PHMMcr, and Instagram @phmmcr.
ENDS
For further information please contact Fido PR:
laura.sullivan@fidopr.co.uk / clare.short@fidopr.co.uk 0161 832 3588
A selection of images can be found here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qex5hvfz222uss6/AABMwe5o3o6NQG0z36EUUEPga?dl=0
About People’s History Museum (PHM)
People’s History Museum (PHM) in Manchester is the national museum of democracy, telling the story of its development in Britain: past, present, and future. The museum provides opportunities for all people to learn about, be inspired by and get involved in ideas worth fighting for; ideas such as equality, social justice, co-operation, and a fair world for all. PHM offers a powerful programme with annual themes; 2018 looked at representation and commemorated 100 years since the first women and all men won the right to vote in Britain, in 2019 the focus was on protest to mark the bicentenary of the Peterloo Massacre in Manchester, the programme for 2020 is on the theme of migration and 2021 will explore disabled people’s rights and activism. Previous winner of Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award.
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