English Heritage hosted a conference to examine how to broaden the appeal of the heritage offer, particularly to family groups, in March 2009. The conference brought together a wide range of heritage organisations, commentators, researchers and community groups to discuss issues of socio-economic status, and the different ways that people choose to engage with the past.
Speakers included Robert Hewison, Ben Cowell, Laurajane Smith, Maria Adebowale, Judith Garfield, Samuel Jones and Jonathan Douglas. Speakers addressed questions such as:
- How do we broaden audiences to existing heritage sites?
- What can we learn from outside the sector?
- Do we need better representation of working people's history, or a more engaging general offer?
- Have we managed to redifine heritage and challenege negative perceptions of who it is 'for'
- How do we engage people in defining their own understandings of heritage?
- How do different groups most enjoy engaging with the past, and does the sector recognise these means?
- How important is it to provide a 'family friendly' offer in order to ensure that an interest in heritage is passed down generations?
Questions of the role of industrial/working class history, the interrelation of ethnicity and class and and methods for introducing family friendly activities in the arts, sports and museums sector were discussed in breakout groups.
New qualitative research looking at the preconceptions and experiences of lower socio-economic families at English Heritage sites were launched, with real relavance for the heritage sector and the wider sports and culture sectors.
We are very keen to hear your experiences and opinions about these issues. Please email the Social Inclusion & Diversity Team with the title 'missing out' with any suggestions, ideas or partnership proposals you have.
