With public gatherings prohibited under social distancing rules, the already precarious cultural sector is fighting to survive.
Actors, musicians, set designers, costume makers, producers—the vast majority of creatives are freelancers. They are now turning their attention to initiatives that can help through an unprecedented collapse in income.
One such programme is #MuseumFromHome, a day-long event taking place tomorrow (Thursday 30th April), in which content from museums, galleries and archives will be showcased by the BBC Arts channel.
Part of the channel’s Culture in Quarantine series, which has also seen special programmes on Rembrandt, gaming and dance, the idea is to get everyone talking about museums.
“We want you to share what you’ve been working on in your museum, whether that’s livestreams, films, memes, blogs, pictures or simply a great story,” wrote the Museums Association, which is partnering with the BBC and Art Fund and National Museum Directors’ Council on promoting the event.
“What are the ideas, collections, activities and exhibitions that you want to share with audiences during the lockdown?”
“What? Yes I am missing the gallery @ZoologyMuseum. Why do you ask?”
No animals were stuffed in the making of this exhibition…#museumfromhome pic.twitter.com/Bsz8hg9iIx
— Mathew Lowe (@MigratoryMatt) April 20, 2020
On Twitter, museums have already been lining up to showcase their wares. Sometimes, the posts showcase some of the museum or gallery’s art. Other times, it’s an in-costume sketch; an at-home class; or a newly-created virtual tour of their site.
Popular posts have been discussion-based, such as Art History PhD student and Art Matters Podcast host Ferren Gipson’s regular videos that explore different 19th century artwork. The Fermangh Museum has also had great success with a game called “Guess the Mystery Object,” proving that the worth of social media is always the interaction.
“We’re seeing how our community partnerships really do matter right now – museums ARE at the heart of their communities,” the Holburne Museum commented on the Museums Association page.
You can join in through the #MuseumFromHome hashtag or on the BBC Arts Culture in Quarantine page.
