Telling Tales and Talking Trails

Update 30 Sep 2022: as we have received lots of expressions of interest in this project, we have closed the form.

If you are keen on volunteering with us on other projects, please see our volunteering page for more details.

Telling Tales and Talking Trails (TTTT) is a project that brings the voices and experiences of ‘digital volunteers’ into our museums, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

What’s happening?

We’re looking for people to help us create the content for a new digital storytelling experience.

This will be for a small, experimental display at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery. We’re going to ditch the traditional labels written by a curator and replace them with bite-size stories written by our volunteers.

Visitors will be able to reveal these stories by scanning the artworks with their phones, using an interactive in the gallery, or viewing them online.

The stories may be factual deep dives or playful responses. What’s important is that every story will invite the visitor to look at the artwork in a different way.

What’s involved?

As a TTTT volunteer you will be part of a team of 8-10 people selecting artworks and writing stories for the gallery. There will be two in person workshops and some writing at home.

Workshop 1, Selection of artworks: mid to late October (date tbc)

Alongside our paper conservator, the team will learn more about our prints & drawings collection. You would then select works to be included in the show and choose the ones that you would like to write about.

Workshop 2, Digital storytelling: November (date tbc)

We’ll introduce you to the digital tools we’ll be using for these stories and some tips for writing for visitors in a museum setting. You’ll be trained and supported by professional experts led by Brighton & Hove Museums Digital Manager and a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing from the University of Brighton.

You’ll be able to write the stories at home with remote advice where required. The display will open in early January. We’ll invite you to the opening so you can be among the first to take part in the experience!

Where and when?

The two workshops will take place in Brighton Museum & Art Gallery. The first will be in mid- late October and the second in November. We’ll settle on precise dates once we have a team of volunteers in place and can work out what is most suitable for all.

How much of my time will it take?

This is a short-term project running from late October 2022 to January 2023. The two workshops will take 2-3 hours each.

How much time it takes to write the stories will be up to you. You may want to research a particular artwork before writing about it or feel you can write a short, snappy response very quickly.

What will you get from TTTT?

You will have a chance to try your hand at something new and meet new people. Get your voice heard in the museum and try out some innovative (but easy to use) digital tools.

We will provide training on all aspects of the activities. If you wish to use this experience to improve your employment prospects or career ambitions, we will happily supply a reference for future job applications.

Travel expenses will be provided for project volunteers living within ten miles of Brighton Museum & Art Gallery. We will provide refreshments while you are on site.

Do I need to know a lot about technology to become a ‘digital volunteer’?

No. Confidence in using digital technology will be useful, but a keen interest in history or art and the ability to tell a story are more useful. We’ll train you in the skills you need.

Ideally, you will have a computer at home to write the stories. If you don’t, but are still keen to contribute to the project, let us know so we can make alternative arrangements.

How do I get involved?

If you would like to apply to be a TTTT volunteer, please complete the form below.

If you would like to find out more, you can email the project lead direct at kevin.bacon@rpmt.org.uk.