www.Mubu.org.uk
MuBu is a region-wide digital programme that will celebrate the innovative audience engagement projects within East Midlands museums.
MuBu newsletter (PDF)
It supports museums in the provision of activities that link audiences and collections by providing grant funding and a supportive network for training and skills sharing. To find out about Social Media and Museums please view our Social Media Guide
MuBu Social Media Guide (1.81 MB)
MuBu will has a central online presence that showcases the digital results of museum projects, such as film content, animations, interactive resources, audio and images. The site uses creative online tools to link digital content from different museums, for example through interactive Google maps or object timelines. There are additional funded opportunities for museums to work with creative writers within grant funded activities.
To view the site please follow this link www.mubu.org.uk
The online presence hosts a digital artist-in-residence who will be employed to respond to and present new interpretations of our content. Partners providing content will include MACE; Media Archive for Central England and EMOHA, East Midlands Oral History Archive.
In addition we encourage and support use of sites such as Flikr, Facebook and YouTube in order to reach new audiences. Museums have joined a network that supports training and development of digital skills and the use of social networking media.
Background 
MuBu is a Renaissance East Midlands programme.
The idea behind the programme developed from consultation with audiences, museums and strategic partners, including MLA and Collections Trust. The results of this consultation are presented in the User Needs Survey which can be found on the left of this page.
Findings from the user needs survey have been used to undertake a feasibility study, where further consultation was undertaken with national experts and current web users.
Timescales
Museums are participating in the training and skills sharing network and grant funded activities between March 2009 and February 2011. All activities within the programme will have to be complete by March 2011.
Funding
Museums have been awarded grants of up to £5 000. Partnership working is encouraged and a number of museums are working in collaboration.
Additional funding support and access to writers will be given to projects involving creative writing.
Example projects
Nottingham City Museums are working with African-Caribbean elders to record their experiences of moving to and living in Nottingham captured through images and audio linked to the museum’s collection.
Lincolnshire County Council Culture and Adult Education team are working with a hospital school to develop creative thinking and interpretive skills. Pupils will select and reinterpret works from the art store and their experiences will be captured using digital images and creative writing.
Contacts
MuBu project managers:
Bryony Robins Alex.Woodall@leicester.gov.uk 0116 252 7332
Caroline Moore Sam.Smith@leicester.gov.uk 0116 252 7338
Museum development team:
Lincolnshire: Hannah Gould hannah.gould@leics.gov.uk
Nottinghamshire: Mark Laurie mark.laurie@leics.gov.uk
Derbyshire: Anita Hollinshead anita.hollinshead@leics.gov.uk
Leicestershire and Rutland: Robin Clarke: robin.clarke@leics.gov.uk
Northamptonshire: Jane Seddon janeseddon@northampton.gov.uk