ANGUSalive Annual Report 2019-2020

Case Study

Champion the positive benefits of our services

After the Apocalypse

Museums, Galleries & Archives

My favourite object is the shark tooth sword because it is an unusual design.

Rory, school pupil age 14

Taking part in this project has improved my listening skills.

Bethan, school pupil age 13

My favourite part of the project was holding the weapons, how heavy it is, how smooth it is – it is fascinating to me.

Kyle, school pupil age 16

In February 2019, ANGUSalive’s Heritage Learning and Engagement Lead, Caroline Taylor, started a joint project with the Additional Support Needs class from Montrose Academy.

The team of 13 pupils aged between 12 and 17 years looked at what objects from Montrose Museum’s collection they would use following an apocalypse to help rebuild society. They judged the merits of different objects and artworks including a shark tooth sword, wash board, totokia club and croquet mallet. The project culminated in a threemonth exhibition, with labels researched and written by the pupils themselves and involved multiple visits to the museum. It allowed the pupils to see our collections in a different light and make personal connections with our objects.

Furthermore, the pupils learnt new skills in object handling, working as part of a team, communication, listening and research.

Most pupils involved said that it was their first ever visit to Montrose Museum with all providing positive feedback and saying they would return.

Caroline explains more about the idea for the exhibition. She said: “The idea for the project came from my interest in science fiction and zombie films and have often thought that museums would be ideal places to hide out during the apocalypse because of the selection of objects we have. The objects we have in our collection could also be used to rebuild society when we have to start from scratch again.”

The exhibition also enabled visitors to the museum to enjoy seeing a different type of exhibition on display. After the Apocalypse was also recognised externally with ‘Developing the Young Workforce Dundee and Angus’ filming one of the sessions as well as positive press coverage.

Did you know?

The pupils involved and their teachers visited Montrose Museum 24 times. Many said it was their first time ever in the museum.

Did you know?

Visitors debated amongst themselves about which of the objects they would or wouldn’t have chosen. What would you have chosen?