Swindon’s STEAM Museum will hand over its social media channels to young people later this month as part of an initiative to engage a younger audience.
Next Friday (26 June), the Swindon Borough Council-owned museum will take part in the national Kids in Museums Digital Takeover Day event, when young people take over the social media accounts of museums, galleries, historic homes, archives and heritage sites across the UK.
Supported by Arts Council England, Kids in Museums has held an annual digital takeover since 2014. The charity wants to empower young people and help them learn digital marketing skills, as well as support museums to attract the attention of younger audiences. Last year, more than 50 museums were taken over and the hashtag #TakeoverDay trended on Twitter.
Young people from Prime Theatre’s Digital Youth Theatre will be re-imagining STEAM’s collection and curating content for the museum’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. To coincide with STEAM’s 20th anniversary this month, members of Prime’s Digital Youth Theatre will also be exploring what they would like to see at STEAM in the future.
Frances Yeo, Manager at STEAM Museum said: “STEAM is committed to advancing access and inclusivity for young people. We are delighted to be teaming up with Prime Theatre to offer opportunities for their young members to develop digital skills. I can’t wait to see how Prime’s Digital Youth Theatre breathes new life into our collection on social media.”
Ervin, member of Prime’s Digital Youth Theatre, added: “I love visiting STEAM Museum and can't wait to tell others about all of their amazing exhibitions. I’m so excited to be part of a team of Prime members entrusted with STEAM’s social media for the day.”
STEAM prides itself on providing exceptional learning experiences. Last year, STEAM and Prime Theatre collaborated to deliver a programme of acting and writing workshops at the museum. STEAM also runs a successful learning programme throughout the year, which attracts schools from across the country.
Councillor Dale Heenan, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Town Centre, Culture and Heritage, said: “Takeover Day is an imaginative way of giving young people a platform to use their creativity to engage their peers and I hope we can use the initiative to help broaden the appeal and interest of Swindon’s railway history.
“The Prime members I have met are always enthusiastic, and I will be following their social media activity with interest next Friday. Will they be serious, funny, or off the wall? I don't know but I look forward to seeing what Prime Digital Youth Theatre do.”
STEAM and Prime Theatre will be launching their new programme of science and engineering activities; ‘Everyone’s An Engineer’, in the future, thanks to a grant from the Wiltshire Community Foundation.
You can see the digital takeover on social media by following STEAM on Facebook and Instagram (@SteamMuseum), or Twitter (@Steam_Museum).
To find out more about the Museum, please visit: www.steam-museum.org.uk
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