YOUNG people from Barnsley are part of a national project, Previous Cargo, launched this week in the company of Sebastian Coe, chair of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games.
The group from Barnsley’s Cannon Hall museum talked about the work they are doing with artists to showcase two of the museum’s prize collections; historic pear trees (including 200 year old specimens growing in the grounds) and ceramics from the Moorcroft pottery.
Previous cargo sees young people sharing their passion for museums by creating new exhibitions in 15 Yorkshire museums. These reveal the region’s world collections in new and exciting ways, and will be seen by over a million people.
The project is part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad programme ‘stories of the world’ which is led by the museums, libraries and archives council (MLA) in partnership with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic games (LOCOG).
Stories of the world will present exhibitions in 2011 and 2012, which will show unusual or previously unseen objects from collections in new ways and in unexpected venues. The exhibitions are delivered in partnership with young people, diverse communities and disabled people and will be inspired by their stories, ideas and creativity.
Precious cargo allows the people involved to use their skills to promote the project and allow it to progress. The young people that are involved are given a lot of freedom in the project and are involved in discussions over what should be done next and interviewing artists.
Coun Bill Newman, Cabinet spokesperson for Development, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for young people in Barnsley to get involved with their local museum and be at the forefront of the Cultural Olympiad. The young people involved so far have been an inspiration and a credit to Barnsley.”