Digital handbook

One of the main objectives of the OWHL project was to develop a digital handbook summarising our best practice in the field of adult education in relation to cultural heritage issues. This includes increasing professional and staff development, knowledge and understanding of common issues and challenges faced by a variety of heritage museums and organisations. The handbook includes case studies identifying and highlighting innovative and successful practice from the participating partners such as methods for mediating tangible and intangible heritage and crafts skills; working with volunteers; making more effective use of digital media for learning, marketing and communication purpose; working with sustainability issues; how to collaborate with local education institutions and achieve greater community engagement.

Preserving and Mediating Tangible and Intangible Heritage and Craft Skills

Our definition of cultural heritage is broad and comprehensive, covering both tangible and intangible heritage, as well as traditional skills. Interpreting cultural heritage can involve many different work practices and equipment. The following examples represent some successful ways of raising awareness of our cultural heritage.

Working with volunteers

Many of our organisations depend on volunteer work. This work is invaluable, bringing great mutual benefit and reward, but also presents challenges regarding management, planning and responsibility. These are some examples, including practical advice for those who plan to develop their work with volunteers.

Interpreting Heritage Digital Solutions

Keeping up with the fast-changing digital development in society can be difficult for a museum or an institution with a limited budget, but digital media can also be a cost effective way to both interpret and market cultural heritage. So, looking for some ideas? Here are some examples of digital projects used by our own organisations.

Working with Sustainability

Issues concerning sustainability are becoming more and more important in many sectors of society. How can museums and educational institutions contribute? These are some practical examples of how this work can be carried out and how to spread that knowledge throughout the world of cultural heritage.

Social Inclusion and Community Engagement

One common issue throughout the sector is how to increase visitor numbers by reaching out beyond traditional audiences. Another is how to overcome the constraints of seasonal opening and make facilities more accessible throughout the year. This means identifying your target groups, bearing in mind achievability and relevance of your organisation to each group. Increasing local community engagement can build an audience well-placed to make use of your organisation throughout the year.

Collaboration with Local Educational Institutions

One key factor in working successfully in the field of mediating cultural heritage adult learning, might be to establish a close and long term collaboration with local educational institutions. Here we give a few examples of what this collaboration can look like in real life.