AIM (Association for Independent Museums) has announced the six member organisations which have been selected to receive Tackling Inequality Hallmark grants of up to £10,000, funded by Arts Council England.

This year a total of £55,000 was made available to fund projects that focused on tackling inequality, resulting in nine applications from member organisations seeking £83,350 of funding.

AIM said the final six projects selected demonstrate a clear link to the Tackling Inequality Hallmark; ‘The organisation is inclusive and challenges prejudice, discrimination and racism.’

Aerospace Bristol and Ditchling Museum of Art & Craft, and American Museum in Britain are among the organisations selected, all of which have been awarded £10,000.

Aerospace Bristol’s project, ‘From grounded to take-off!: Launching Aerospace Bristol’s Equality Action Plan’ aims to support the museum to diversify its Board, workforce and future programming through the creation of a People Plan that will embed EDI throughout the organisation.

Martha Lewington, Development Manager at Aerospace Bristol, said: “I am most grateful for this incredible support, which will enable Aerospace Bristol to transform and make organisational improvements needed as a modern museum.”

Ditchling Museum of Art & Craft described its project as “making visible hidden narratives in our collection and content, and building knowledge and skills in the whole museum community, improving visitor welcome and audience diversity.”

American Museum in Britain’s project is hope to increase the diversity of stories and histories it tells “to create a more comprehensive history of America. Creating a more inclusive experience in our American Heritage galleries to include a diverse range of voices and provide a more comprehensive offer.”

Jewish Museum London has been awarded £9,200 for its ‘Collecting Inclusive Stories Tour’. It is a joint year-long programme between the learning and collections team to tour 20 sites across the UK to collect missing narratives from its collection.

The 400 images collected will be accessioned and an online exhibition created.
Frances Jeens, Director, Jewish Museum London, said, “I’m so pleased to receive this funding. We’ve been working hard on the preparation for over a year and have several of the partner communities very eager to start so they will also be thrilled!”

The National Paralympic Heritage Trust received £9,000 in funding.

It said: “In Our, the first Voice, will explore the history of the Paralympics through the stories and voices of those who made it happen and fought for their equal rights as people with disabilities.

“The oral testimony collected will be used to augment the displays and provide first person interpretation at the centre.”

Macclesfield Museum received £5,150 for its project ‘Silk and Sight Loss – Revealing Past, Present and Future Perspectives.’

The Museum will work with East Cheshire Eye Society to further access and representation of the visually impaired at the museum.

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