IWM is welcoming the Open Community Lab (OCL) on board HMS Belfast in May to give technologists, designers, marketers, historians, curators and programmers a chance to develop innovative ideas to shape the future visitor experience of HMS Belfast.

Open Community Lab (OCL) is a community of experts in their field who offer an intervention to areas where there is a customer experience. Recent projects have included a Kids Remix and previously Museomix events at Derby Silkmill and Ironbridge Gorge.

Over the three day period, OCL will work with different communities to create a living lab on board this historic Second World War ship, creating ideas for a networked museum in touch with its communities.

OCL are looking for people with the following skills to come on board and take part in this project:

  • Developers – coders, software hacker
  • Graphic Designers – designer, designer object, sound designer
  • Content experts – curator, historian
  • Cultural mediators – host, link with visitors in physical space
  • Communicators – social media, blogger, journalist

“OCL are committed to bringing together all sectors to create innovative and engaging ideas that will enhance visitors’ experiences, and we are very proud to be bringing our ground breaking approach to the historic HMS Belfast, our first OCL event in London. Let’s #RemixTheShip!” said Mar Dixon, Open Community Lab.

HMS Belfast is the most significant surviving Second World War Royal Navy warship, with a history that extends to the Arctic Convoys, D-Day, the Cold War, Korea and beyond. Moored on the River Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast tells the story of life on board and explores how war affects and impacts on the morale, resilience and determination of a ship’s community.

“We’re very pleased to be collaborating with the Open Community Lab on this exciting project to shape the future visitor experience on HMS Belfast,” said Diane Lees, Director General, Imperial War Museums. “The ship has such a fascinating history and by working with OCL we hope to develop new ways of engaging with communities to tell the powerful stories of HMS Belfast and her crew.”

If you would like to take part in the OCL Remix on HMS Belfast, you can find out more information and register here by May 1:

Participants will be asked to pay £75 towards their food and they have to pay for their own transport and accommodation. OCL will be able to help participants find accommodation according to budget.

Participants will work 8am-11pm each day and applicants need to be aged 18+.

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