Article: David Styles | Image: © Bill Smith
As I bid farewell to Museums + Heritage Advisor, I have flicked through the archives to find ten stories from the past two years that have special significance.
Bright beginnings
The first feature I wrote for M+H will always hold a certain resonance for me. Written back in 2019 when a speedy digital shift seemed unlikely. Happier times…
https://museumsandheritage.com/features/artificial-intelligence-visitor-data-and-ethics-debating-the-future-of-museums/
Familiar focus
Having arrived in the sector after several years covering fashion and sustainability, articles about museum environmental commitments outstripping DEFRA and the Natural History Museum’s green licensing work were a natural fit.
https://museumsandheritage.com/features/the-art-of-sustainability-london-museums-outperform-defra-on-key-environmental-indicators/
https://museumsandheritage.com/features/licensing-for-the-planet-how-natural-history-museum-reaches-the-world-with-sustainable-products/
Taking a stand
A story we co-published with the i paper, it’s safe to say this was the most widely read article during my stint as Advisor’s editor.
https://museumsandheritage.com/features/the-first-uk-museum-has-officially-joined-the-facebook-boycott-should-others-follow/
Museum musings
As hard as I tried it was impossible to leave out all references to the pandemic. At least this piece zeroes in on the lighter side…
https://museumsandheritage.com/features/signs-of-the-times-how-museums-made-social-distancing-signage-an-art-form/
On location
Olivia Colman. Kermit the Frog. This one has it all.
https://museumsandheritage.com/features/oscar-winners-observational-documentaries-and-netflix-trends-how-and-why-museums-appear-on-screen/
Ecclesiastical excellence
The playful, innovative exploits of the nation’s cathedrals have never failed to be a fun topic, particularly when doing research at Norwich’s helter skelter.
We're at @Nrw_Cathedral today and it seemed rude for our editor @styles_writes not to have a go on the now world famous Helter Skelter. (Less than dignified landing edited out). pic.twitter.com/vn3NWUAc2n
— Museums + Heritage Advisor (@MandHAdvisor) August 14, 2019
https://museumsandheritage.com/features/cathedrals-innovate-once-again-to-survive-and-thrive-during-lockdown/
Mass migrations
International museum articles have always been thought provoking. The Louvre’s decision to escape the city for optimum storage facilities is now very much en vogue.
https://museumsandheritage.com/features/whats-in-store-how-the-louvre-is-reinventing-conservation-and-storage-for-museums/
Opposing oil
This piece seems perpetually pertinent, especially as the majority of UK museums are currently engaged on some level with the climate crisis in the run up to COP26 in Glasgow.
https://museumsandheritage.com/features/ethics-economics-and-the-environment-the-arts-sector-remains-split-on-bp-funding/
Dispensing with discrimination
A very important step forward from Arts Council England, which has hopefully removed a daunting barrier for many considering a career in the heritage sector.
https://museumsandheritage.com/features/banning-box-arts-council-rewrites-policies-combat-depressing-criminal-justice-employment-statistics/
