Derby Silk Mill has been announced as the host museum for MuseomixUK 2014. Over 100 participants, from museum professionals to designers, developers and artists are expected to attend the event in November 2014.
MuseomixUK participants will work in teams over three days to remix Derby Silk Mill’s exhibits, creating, testing and demonstrating prototypes that engage visitors with the objects and stories on display in new ways.
“We’re very excited to be bringing MuseomixUK to Derby after our very successful launch at Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust in 2013,” explained Mar Dixon, Project Coordinator, MuseomixUK. “The Museomix ethos matches extremely well with Derby Silk Mill and we’re thrilled to have such a fascinating museum to partner with for MuseomixUK 2014.”
The first Museomix took place in France in 2011, with the event expanding beyond France for the first time in 2013 as museums in the UK and Quebec took part. Held at Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust in 2013, MuseomixUK participants produced seven prototypes in three days, four of which are being made into products. This year Museomix 2014 events will take place at locations in France, Quebec and at Derby Silk Mill in Derbyshire, UK.
“We are delighted Museomix is taking place at Derby Silk Mill, the site of the world’s first factory,” said Tony Butler, Director, Derby Museums Trust. “Our own Re:Make programme is encouraging the public, makers and artists to co-design a museum which will tell the story of making in the city. We hope our experiences and well equipped studios will inspire Museomix participants to solve problems and create amazing solutions.”
MuseomixUK and Derby Museums are looking for individual participants who would like to be part of this inspiring event and companies who feel that they could support the project with relevant technology, products and expertise. Interested parties should sign up for further updates via email or contact Mar Dixon on 07800 539065 or museomixuk@gmail.com as applications will open soon.
Notes to Editors
MuseomixUK 2014 will take place between 7-9 November 2014 (open days 10-11 Nov) at Derby Silk Museum. More information about MuseomixUK can be found via museomix.org/en.
For further information, images or to arrange a visit please contact:
Will Stanley (Community Manager) or Mar Dixon (Project Coordinator)
MuseomixUK
museomixuk@gmail.com / 07800 539065
Derby Museums Trust at Derby Silk Mill
Andrea Mercer
andream@derbymuseums.org / 01332 641908
About MuseomixUK
Museomix’s mission is to explore new ways that people can make museums their own, encouraging visitors to see museums and their collections in a new light and enabling participants with wide-ranging passions and professions to meet and collaborate.
First held at Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust in 2013, MuseomixUK participants remixed three museums in three days, producing seven prototypes and establishing a thriving MuseomixUK community. For more information, visit museomix.org/en, follow @MuseomixUK on Twitter or sign up for further updates via email.
About Derby Silk Mill
The original Mill was built between 1717 and 1721 by industrialist John Lombe to house his Italian-inspired machinery, which he used to create thread from silk fibres. The foundations of the Mill still exist and the building is recognised as the first factory in the world, the launch pad for the Industrial Revolution and a gateway to the Derwent Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The current building on the original footprint dates from mostly from 1910. It was used to make fly papers and cough medicine before passing into the hands of the local electricity board and then the Council. It became Derby Industrial Museum in 1974.
It was mothballed in 2011, for 2 years during this time it has seen over 20,000 visitors engage in community events and activities to help shape the ambition for the building. The building reopened in November 2013 with the second Derby Mini Maker Faire and Re:Make the Museum a community driven project to remake the museum from the inside out. The project is producing a combination of displays, workshops and activities – in order to inspire a new generation of engineers, designers and makers.
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