The EU and the museum: an investigation of cross-border museum projects in Ireland
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Ulster
Department Name: Research Office
Abstract
Cross-border museum projects, focusing on exploring histories, identities and cultural expression have, on the island of Ireland, been driven by EU support. The PEACE funding rationale, methods and working practices have shaped creativity and impacted audiences, stimulating new thinking about museum purposes. This project will gain new insights into how EU cultural and peace-building strategies affected museum practice by examining the role of the EU and evaluating the impact of funded projects. New appreciation of how EU projects have shaped workforce skills, project development and audience engagement will be examined and the future of how the best of such projects can be nurtured will be recorded.
A key recommendation of Brexit and the Museum Sector in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (Irish Museums Association-Ulster University, 2018) was that data must be gathered and evaluated on funded cross-border projects. The details of planning and workforce practice, training and partnerships must be captured in order to understand more deeply both the processes that shape museum practice and potential pathways for the future. Bridge Over Brexit (Irish Museums Association, 2019) documented eight such projects, revealing a lack of detailed analysis of the character, content, audience development, working practices and legacy of cross-border museum projects. This significant gap in our knowledge relating to diversity, coherence, cogency and understanding must be addressed as we go forward into a changed political and policy environment on the island.
This Collaborative Doctoral Award will investigate the character, purpose and perceived impact of EU funding to museums in Northern Ireland and the border counties, considering capital and programme funding, community engagement, programming activity and evidence creativity and investment in the border area, where border museums were the lead body/beneficiaries. The project will address a significant gap in our knowledge and understanding, as we move into a changed political and policy environment post-Brexit. In addition, there is a significant gap in our understanding of museum development and histories in Ireland and the border counties. Currently, publicly available research into the work of museums in Northern Ireland and the border corridor is not extensive as few museums have institutional histories. As a consequence, this research will also enhance our understanding of museum development and how that connects to the European funding context.
Research Aim
To gain a deeper understanding of the past, present and future relationship between the European Union (EU) and the museum sector in Ireland and Northern Ireland by considering the character, value and impact of EU funded cross-border projects.
This project will significantly advance our understanding of the social and political dimensions of cultural policy and practice in a post-conflict cross-border context through analysis of EU and museum policy, examination of programming and recorded impact as gathered by the projects.
Research Objectives
RO1. To get a deeper understanding of the past, present and future relationship between the EU and the museum sector in Ireland and Northern Ireland;
RO2. To provide new insights into processes, rationale, character and working practices of EU -funded cross-border museum-based projects;
RO3. To ascertain the impact and value of such projects on aspects of museum work, for example audiences, community cohesion, workforce skills and practices, development and policies and
RO4. To make recommendations on how museums can sustain cross-border creativity, develop networks, and remain core to community cohesion in border areas.
A key recommendation of Brexit and the Museum Sector in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (Irish Museums Association-Ulster University, 2018) was that data must be gathered and evaluated on funded cross-border projects. The details of planning and workforce practice, training and partnerships must be captured in order to understand more deeply both the processes that shape museum practice and potential pathways for the future. Bridge Over Brexit (Irish Museums Association, 2019) documented eight such projects, revealing a lack of detailed analysis of the character, content, audience development, working practices and legacy of cross-border museum projects. This significant gap in our knowledge relating to diversity, coherence, cogency and understanding must be addressed as we go forward into a changed political and policy environment on the island.
This Collaborative Doctoral Award will investigate the character, purpose and perceived impact of EU funding to museums in Northern Ireland and the border counties, considering capital and programme funding, community engagement, programming activity and evidence creativity and investment in the border area, where border museums were the lead body/beneficiaries. The project will address a significant gap in our knowledge and understanding, as we move into a changed political and policy environment post-Brexit. In addition, there is a significant gap in our understanding of museum development and histories in Ireland and the border counties. Currently, publicly available research into the work of museums in Northern Ireland and the border corridor is not extensive as few museums have institutional histories. As a consequence, this research will also enhance our understanding of museum development and how that connects to the European funding context.
Research Aim
To gain a deeper understanding of the past, present and future relationship between the European Union (EU) and the museum sector in Ireland and Northern Ireland by considering the character, value and impact of EU funded cross-border projects.
This project will significantly advance our understanding of the social and political dimensions of cultural policy and practice in a post-conflict cross-border context through analysis of EU and museum policy, examination of programming and recorded impact as gathered by the projects.
Research Objectives
RO1. To get a deeper understanding of the past, present and future relationship between the EU and the museum sector in Ireland and Northern Ireland;
RO2. To provide new insights into processes, rationale, character and working practices of EU -funded cross-border museum-based projects;
RO3. To ascertain the impact and value of such projects on aspects of museum work, for example audiences, community cohesion, workforce skills and practices, development and policies and
RO4. To make recommendations on how museums can sustain cross-border creativity, develop networks, and remain core to community cohesion in border areas.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Elizabeth Crooke (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Catherine McCullough (Student) |