Dynamic Collections
Power Hall: The Andrew Law Gallery is home to working engines that powered everything from cotton mills and chip shops to electricity generators and railways. Our grant, awarded as part of our Dynamic Collections campaign, has funded the reinterpretation of the Power Hall collection – designing a gallery full of activity, that is inclusive, relevant, animated and intuitive.
This work has included:
- enhancing the learning experience through interactive multi-sensory displays that support visitors with different access needs
- delivering more live demonstrations of heritage skills and industrial technology, to bring the collection to life
- increasing the diversity of people represented in the gallery, including local communities
The museum’s team has worked collaboratively with a variety of local groups and partners to co-design the multi-sensory displays and broaden the range of stories told. Together, a range of approaches have been tested to ensure that the visitor experience is engaging for all ages, needs and knowledge levels.
Sally MacDonald, Director of the Science and Industry Museum, said: “Our colleagues who first set up the gallery in 1983 knew that science and engineering have always been crucial to Manchester’s success and future growth. Many people have told me that the Power Hall was inspirational for them as children, and I hope now it can inspire a new generation of inventors and technicians.”
Interested in projects that re-imagine collections? Find out more about the Dynamic Collections campaign or explore our case studies below.
