stirling smith shortlisted for best small museum project award

The front cover of the Smith’s shortlisted book 20 Great project.

The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum has been shortlisted for a Museums Change Lives Award for a community project showcasing 20 paintings from its collection in an accessible format.

Caroline Mathers, Director of The Smith said: “We realised that many members of the community were particularly isolated during Covid lockdowns due to their lack of digital literacy.

“We responded by producing a booklet that showcases 20 paintings from The Smith’s collection.

“The book was designed with accessibility in mind, with large text and images and easy-to-turn pages.”

After receiving generous funding from Museums Galleries Scotland to publish the books, The Smith worked with local organisations to deliver them locally.

Caroline explained: “Some of these organisations included Town Break Stirling, local care homes, Forth Valley Welcome, Strathcarron Hospice, and ‘Bags of Hope’ organisations that support isolated members of the community.”

The Smith’s 20 Great Paintings project has been shortlisted for ‘Best Small Museum Project’, alongside The Peace Museum’s ‘Peace OUT’ project and The Scottish Crannog Centre’s Apprenticeship Scheme.

Caroline said: “The Museums Change Lives Awards celebrate the achievements of museums that are making a difference to the lives of their audiences and communities across the UK. We are delighted to be shortlisted for our work with local care communities to provide resources to help combat loneliness and isolation. When the world suddenly went digital, it was important that museums didn’t leave anyone behind.”

This year’s awards will take place in Liverpool on Monday 8th November as part of the Museums Association’s annual conference.