Labyrintheme

Labyrintheme partners from institutions across Europe (with support from the European Commission under the Lifelong Learning Programme / Grundtvig) have developed a series of training courses and workshops that support the use of participatory arts approaches, methods and techniques in institutions managing and exhibiting heritage across Europe. The first series of courses will take place in Romania and Bulgaria in summer 2012 and in Spain in September 2012. The Manchester Museum will host a pilot training course in April 2012 (16, 17, 18 of April)and we are looking for participants to take part.  

Who can attend the pilot course?

Individuals who are dedicated to widening appreciation of cultural heritage and have an interest in exploring innovative methods and techniques for engaging the audiences of their organisation. This can include Museum staff, volunteers, adult educators, post graduate students and professional heritage performers.

What will the course involve?

Experienced trainers will deliver a 3 day workshop in which participants take over a space and develop a performative journey based on the stories, objects and people interacting within it. They will do this by using  an approach called labyrinth theatre. Labyrinth theatre is an interactive, site-specific and context-oriented type of participatory theatre, involving participants who are not necessarily actors or performing arts professionals. Participants will create a labyrinth experience designed to encourage audiences to discover new ways of engaging with and making meaning from the place and objects encountered. Labyrinth is highly collaborative work, and aims to bring out individual creativity at each and every step of the journey. Just as importantly it is fun and has been successfully used to enhance learning about and engagement with heritage in many other countries including Austria, Bulgaria, France, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Romania and Spain. 

The full training course is configured as a 6-day workshop, as this includes theory modules on interactive performance and labyrinth theatre, heritage interpretation, narratives and storytelling. The pilot will be an intensive 3-day version of the course, primarily focused on the workshop component, including some theory and lots of practical activities. Pilot participants will also be eligible to apply for a place on the 6-day course in Spain in September, and for a grant from Grundtvig to cover all costs (travel, accommodation and subsistence). During the full course individuals will acquire the relevant skills and knowledge to develop Labyrinth performances within their own cultural and heritage organisations.   

More details will follow. Meanwhile please make a note of the dates in your diary and register your interest (without commitment) with:  Kate Glynn, Volunteer Coordinator, The Manchester Museum

0161 306 1773 / kate.glynn@manchester.ac.uk

Please note: there is no cost to attend the pilot course and refreshments will be provided including lunch, teas and coffees. We do ask though that you commit to attending for all three days of the course.

Further Information For further information about the Labyrintheme project, visit: http://labyrintheme.org