Partnerships with Purpose was a pilot programme led by the Museums Association and funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, with the overarching aim to facilitate communities, museums, statutory sector providers and funders to deepen links and develop ideas on how to build social value together.
The aims of the programme were:
- museums and community organisations to identify shared aims
- museums to gain insight into local need and what the community wants to offer
- communities to become increasingly enthusiastic about working with museums, skilled in socially engaged practice, and confident about how to approach museums
- funders and the statutory sector, such as public health and local commissioners, to dedicate resources to cross-sector work to build social value.
Links made with the community need to be beneficial to community partner members and the museum as effective partnerships are two-way.
Identifying the reasons for linking with communities from both perspectives will help you identify community partners, influence internally and engage externally.
Fully understanding these benefits at the beginning of the partnership ensures these benefits continue for both your museum and the community partners and members during the relationship.
Working with Community Partners builds on this programme, providing more information, exercises and signposting to develop these mutually beneficial relationships.