Our exciting development project Open Treasure is transforming spaces inside the Cathedral as well as the way in which the Cathedral engages with visitors and the local communities. As part of our successful Heritage Lottery Fund application, we submitted a detailed activity plan; a programme of outreach and engagement, learning, and a series of public events and exhibitions. As Project Co-ordinator, I am working with many departments across the organisation to deliver this activity plan.
Co-ordinating such an ambitious project is no easy task! The physical transformation of spaces off the Claustral buildings, led by the Cathedral’s Property Team, is due to be completed in 2016. Ahead of this we are already working on the outreach and engagement programme and each department has an important part to play. With so many people involved, my role is both challenging and highly rewarding!
I started at the Cathedral three months ago, and progress has been made with projects that will create opportunities for local communities to get involved with Open Treasure. An oral history project will offer people the chance to record their memories of Durham whilst Recreating the Community is providing local artists and local communities with the opportunity to produce unique artwork inspired by the Anglo-Saxon Treasures of St Cuthbert. We have already held artists workshops in collaboration with Durham Creatives and can’t wait to get this project off the ground. Other projects include reading groups for book-worms to a Young Curators project for ambitious young people with an interest in history and heritage.
With so many projects to co-ordinate, we’ve certainly got a lot of hard work ahead of us but it’s great to be part of such an ambitious project and you can be part of it too! As Open Treasure develops, there will be many opportunities to get involved, so keep up-to-date at www.durhamcathedral.co.uk You can also follow Durham Cathedral on Facebook and Twitter. Watch this space!
Claire Hyde
Open Treasure Project Co-ordinator (Activities)
durhamcathedral 