Young Muslim Aberdeen

Young Muslim Aberdeen

Participants in the project
Participants in the project

Young Roots

George St/Harbour
Aberdeen City
Arts Development Team, Neighbourhood Services
£13500
A group of local young Muslims explored how their heritage is archived in two major city museums, in a project run by Young Muslim Aberdeen.

The group explored collections in Aberdeen University’s Marischal Museum and Aberdeen Maritime Museum. The project ran as a partnership between the Arts Development team and the University of Aberdeen (Marischal Museum).

The group investigated the limits of the Islamic collection in the Marischal Museum and how it related to the low profile of Muslims in the north east of Scotland. Working with artists, curators and keepers the group investigated the collections, creating an exhibition in response to their findings.

By creating new artworks and a high-profile exhibition, the group not only raised awareness of museums in the city, but also helped to provide a better understanding of Islamic culture amongst the wider community.

The aims of the project were:

  • to explore, examine and scrutinise Islamic culture and heritage in the north east of Scotland
  • to challenge young people to employ new curating and investigation skills to research and plan a project within the context of Islamic art, creativity and culture
  • to create an exhibition and DVD to which shared the young people’s findings