Kate Wilson
Developed in collaboration with Dundee Heritage Trust, 'Disrupting Dundee' outlines a series of events facilitating the happening of difficult conversations.
About
Museums are not neutral and generally have institutional biases. Dundee Heritage Trust (DHT), whose Verdant Works Museum tells the story of the colonial jute trade which took place between Dundee and India, is no exception. A cultural organisation which offers learning activities to over 8,000 school children and 1,500 members of the local community every year, DHT have a duty to acknowledge these biases and incorporate the voices of those that their retelling of history has forgotten.
'Disruptive Dundee' was developed during a ten-week placement with Dundee Heritage Trust's Education and Communities Team. The primary aim of the project was to develop, test and deliver a toolbox of resources and workshops that could facilitate and encourage the happening of potentially difficult conversations.
Through a series of "disruptive" events, the project saw young members of Dundee's community, DHT volunteers and local academics begin to define the type of conversations they believe DHT should be furthering, including colonialism, worker's and women's rights. Through applied methods of Design Thinking, a series of 'Disruptive Events' were prototyped to see how best these conversations might be facilitated.
Moving forward, DHT will further develop this series of events – sourcing funding to bring this project to wider parts of both Dundee and DHT's international community.
Peer-Review Workshop
A workshop conducted with young adults who do not frequent any of DHT’s locations. Responding to the Verdant Work's Museum, they offered insight as to what the younger generation views as biased and, in some cases, offensive museum display practices.
DHT Volunteer Feedback Line
My second prototype event took place at the DHT Volunteer “Thank You” Dinner. Gaining insight from the volunteers, individuals who engage with the public on behalf of DHT and the stories shared in their collection, played an important role in establishing what issues those at the heart of DHT believe the organisation should be discussing. I provided the group of twenty-four volunteers with illustrated prompt cards that they could fill out over the course of the evening and pin to a feedback “washing line”.
Creative Communities Network – Creative Workshop
A workshop I programmed on behalf of DHT's Creative Communities Network. Working with local designer Kate Scarlet Harvey to encourage a group of young individuals to consider the impact Climate Change has had on their lives.
Support this graduate
If you are interested in developing new and exciting methods of community engagement, particularly in relation to regional histories or crafting practices, please contact me via email.