The iMuse Programme

seeking (lowcost!) ways of using IT to enhance the enjoyment and educational value of museums for everyone especially visitors with communications disabilities
 

iMuse has support from the RSA's Fellowship Catalyst scheme and AACT, and our 2012 project, 'iMuse in Reading', was supported by Reading Borough Council's Culture and Sport Fund, the Vodafone Foundation and the Foyle Foundation. Many thanks!

In the first half of 2013 we'll be helping the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology with its Arts Council England funded project 'Stories of the World', working with the Stanley Spencer Gallery on accessibility and engagement, expanding access for the visually impaired in MERL's 'Hunt for Meaning' exhibition and working towards a national advisory service.

• We are seeking partners!
  Small museums to try things out with us
  and museums and groups to help set-up a peer-support network
  

• Can IT help smaller museums become more inclusive?
  Slides from a talk on iMuse's experiences October 2012.
  

• The iMuse project – using apps to transform accessibility in museums.
  Our post on the RSA Fellowhip blog
  - including request for another trial site.
  

• Historical walk along the Holybrook and Kennet in Reading
  Video clips from a participant in AgeUK Berkshire's walk.
  

• Robyn made some fun activities in the museum with Prezi.
  You can try them out

• Summer half-term
  Drawing, transforming objects, trying out a trail,
  watching lamb video and just hanging out in the MERL, Reading.
  

• Olympic trail
  We're working on a mini-trail covering the 5 days of the Ancient Olympics
  using objects in the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology, Reading, UK.
  

• Not Just a Berkshire Farmer trail
  Learn more of our trail in the Museum of English Rural Life
  based on books by Bert Houghton who farmed between Newbury and Reading

• Tweet a sheep
  We tweeted from the Amners Farm barn.
  Pics of MERL make-a-sheep, real lambs + video

• On Friday 13th April 1962 the first computer was delivered to Reading
  You can see a short presentation given 50 years on.
  Do you know if anyone else in the area had a computer then?

• The Great Fire Engine Mystery - the story
  A mini 'alternate reality' trail
  at the Museum of English Rural Life
  Easter Holidays 2012

• The Friends of the University of Reading
  London Rd Heritage Trail 25 March 2012
  slideshow on Flickr

• Your Project Berkshire
  pictures drawn on iPad by visitors in the Oracle Reading 23-25 March 2012
  slideshow on Flickr

• The Great Reading Cheese Mystery
  Read the story as uncovered by detectives on the trail in the Museum of English Rural Life, Reading, UK, half-term February 2012

• Ways of i-seeing
  Museum of English Rural Life objects optically transformed by visitors during half term February 2012

• Our blog
  This is where we are documenting everything as we go along.
  Read about our funders and supporters
  and our news, thoughts, triumphs and disasters

• Our tweets
  What's happening day to day.

• Lorna's blog
  Vodafone World of Difference is helping Lorna work with iMuse March-July 2012.
  This is her blog.

• Lorna's tweets
  What's happening day to day.

• The iMuse Progamme is managed by a charity.
  The aim is to use IT to enhance the enjoyment and educational value of museums for everyone especially people with communications disabilities.