Collaborative Connections evaluation

Evaluation of a community heritage project to develop audiences, creative programming and new models of site management

• Collaborative Connections was devised and managed by Rotherham Museums, Arts & Heritage and funded by Historic England.

• Participation and engagement in Collaborative Connections encompassed a range of activities – from social media engagement, to participation in events and involvement in community management groups.

• The project increased awareness of local heritage sites, not only within local communities, but also amongst staff.

• Engagement with the project via social media was stronger than expected, especially via Facebook.

• Arts installations at the heritage sites were popular and helped to expand audiences to include those with less interest in traditional heritage approaches.

• Expressing and sharing pride in the local area was an important outcome of the artist commissions, and of the project more widely.

• Bringing communities together was challenging due to Covid restrictions, but Collaborative Connections demonstrated the possibilities for using the heritage sites to build greater community spirit.

• Staff knowledge increased, not only of the heritage sites themselves, but also of the local communities surrounding them.

• The project offered an opportunity to undertake active collecting in relation to heritage sites.

• The project offered staff opportunities to explore new forms of digital engagement and develop both technical and communication skills.

• Collaborative Connections enabled Rotherham Museums, Arts & Heritage to gain knowledge around working with communities and put infrastructure in place that can be used in the future with other groups.