In the first phase of our Virtual Gallery project we worked with a wide range of community organisations to increase access to collections through our website, and to provide participants with the opportunity to gain new ICT skills.

The groups taking part in the project ranged from young people in Hillfields to adults with learning disabilities and older people. Each group chose a theme which interested them and worked with outreach and collections staff from The Herbert to interpret it in a personal way. Supported by an ICT tutor, each participant created a mini-website which could include their own treasures as well as items from the museum. Topics included music and sport – one participant added his collection of trainers to his site alongside original Bay City Rollers platform shoes from The Herbert's collection. 

The Virtual Gallery builds on the success of A Night Out in Coventry which is also featured in the Project Archive section of this website. The first phase of the Virtual Gallery is accessible on The Herbert's website and we plan to work with further groups in the future.

For more information about the project, call Alison Taylor on 024 7629 4785 or email alison.taylor@theherbert.org