The scheme, called Old Tools, New Uses, will see duplicate and
spare objects from museums across Scotland recycled for use by
artisan communities in Africa.
The project will encourage museums across Scotland to learn more
about their ‘domestic technology’ collections, highlight the
treasures of their collections and send duplicates to communities
in Africa. Museums can then also acquire examples of the crafts
which are created by these communities as a result.
The move is part of a Museums Association Effective Collections
Project, run by the Scottish Transport and Industry Collection and
Knowledge Network (STICK), in partnership with National Museums
Scotland.
Rowan Brown, Senior Curator of Technology, National Museums
Scotland, said:
"This project will allow us, for the first time, to build a
national picture of ‘domestic technology’ collections across
Scotland. Some of these overlooked items, which range from sewing
machines to working tools, may be unrecognised treasures, whilst
others may be in common supply across museums and could be more
valuable if returned to practical use.
"As storage space in museums is always at a premium, this
project will provide museums with advice and support in assessing
what they need and what they can usefully pass on to free up
valuable space."
Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop said:
“I welcome this kind of innovative collaboration. Not only
will this prove beneficial to the museums sector in addressing some
of the challenges it is facing but I am sure the imagination of the
people of Scotland will be fired by the contribution our museums
are making to help build sustainable communities in some of the
world’s poorest areas. It is heartening to know that
these tools will be available to people who can use them to work
their way out of poverty.”
Scotland’s 433 registered museums are all invited to take part
in the project, which will be carried out in partnership with the
charity Tools for Self Reliance. Old Tools, New Uses will also
include a series of drop-in workshops for museum professionals, a
toolkit for reviewing collections and support for museums in
preparing individual learning resources for schools.
David Woodcock, Subject Specialist Adviser for the project,
said:
‘This is a fantastic opportunity for museums across Scotland,
small and large, to take advantage of free professional advice and
to contribute towards a national catalogue of technology
collections which will have a legacy beyond the timescale of the
project and support the development of artisan communities in
Africa.’
For more information, please contact Bruce Blacklaw or Barbara
Lyon, Press Office, Tel (0131) 247 4165 or email b.blacklaw@nms.ac.uk
Notes To Editors
STICK, a network of museums, interested individuals and heritage
bodies across Scotland, aims to promote care and enjoyment of
Scotland’s transport and industry collections. Mining, fishing,
engineering, transport, printing and manufacture have left an
incredible legacy for Scotland’s people, its landscape and the
country’s reputation worldwide, and these collections represent the
success of Scottish innovation in the field. You can find out more
at http://www.stickssn.org/.
Please note that National Museums Scotland (no ‘of’ or ‘the’) is
our corporate name. Our individual museums are called the National
Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the National
Museum of Rural Life, the National Museum of Costume and the
National War Museum.