London,
14
May
2012
|
23:00
Europe/London

Mapping the Change - major exhibition launches at Hackney Museum

Mapping the Change, a Hackney Museum project recording the changes to East London people s lives in the run up to the London 2012 Games, is launching its major exhibition this Thursday 17 May.

The four year-long project documents the people of Hackney and the impact the coming Olympic and Paralympic Games will have on their lives. Voices from Hackney s hugely diverse communities have been captured through working with more than 5000 people from community groups, local artists and individuals to produce photographic, digital, film, written and audio based records of the changes and people s responses to them.

Hackney Museum received a £293,000 Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant for Mapping the Change, Hackney s major contribution to the Cultural Olympiad. Hackney Council has led on the majority of activities around the unique project, with Vestry House Museum in Waltham Forest and Tower Hamlets Local Studies Library delivering certain elements. The grant has been used to employ staff, and engage with families, conduct outreach work with schools and community organisations as well as funding five exhibitions.

Activities have included oral history recordings in Hackney and Fish Island, photo competitions in Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest; community journalism courses; art and heritage workshops across the borough including Trowbridge Day Centre for people with learning disabilities; film documentaries, history walks and talks; radio journalism courses; an extensive schools and families programmes and a series of community exhibitions at Hackney Museum and community venues.

Cllr Jonathan McShane, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Health & Community Services said: "Hackney co-hosting the London 2012 Games is not only about new buildings, better transport and job opportunities, it is about people experiencing change in preparation for what will be a major event in history. Mapping the Change will provide us with a revealing and valuable account for future generations to look back on."

The exhibition is a culmination of all the Mapping the Change projects which have taken place over the past year. Entry to Hackney Museum is free and the exhibition will run until 15 September. To find out more or get involved contact Hackney Museum on 020 8356 3500 or mappingthechange@hackney.gov.uk.

Ends