How can local museums work collaboratively with migrant communities to develop a deeper sense of cultural inclusion and belonging?

In this research project, supported by the Centre’s Collaborate fund, the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum partnered with Dr Aisling O’Boyle – Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Language Education Research, Queen’s University Belfast – to explore the social role of local museums in fostering cultural inclusion.

Yours, Mine and Ours aimed to develop sustainable collaborative relationships with local migrant communities, many of whom had yet to experience what the museum offered.

The project demonstrated that local museums are more than places to preserve the past – they are powerful shared spaces shaping the future. Yours, Mine and Ours reminds us that when institutions share authority and truly listen to their communities, they can create meaningful connections and amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard.

A museum engaging with its community

For many years, the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum has made engaged community practice a core part of its service, weaving it into the fabric of the organisation’s exhibitions, events and activities.

This approach has enabled the museum team to recognise that its collection, archives and exhibition programme didn’t reflect the experiences of local migrant communities. Yours, Mine and Ours sought to find ways to change that.

This collaborative research partnership used a number of innovative research methods, including discursive shadowing, talk-in-action approaches and walking interviews, enabling participants from local migrant communities to take the lead in how they shared their stories. This bespoke methodology demonstrated the value of taking a multi-layered approach to promoting cultural learning while highlighting the importance of flexibility and inclusivity in fostering a sense of wellbeing and belonging.

Adopting a shared approach

A cornerstone of this research project was its collaborative spirit. Participants from local migrant communities co-designed the project, shaping everything from the content of facilitated workshops and craft sessions to the museum’s Welcome Day. In this vibrant, participant-led public event, new voices took centre stage to celebrate cultural exchange.

The project also encouraged local migrant communities to donate textile objects, enriching the museum’s permanent collections and reflecting the evolving demographics of the Lisburn and Castlereagh area.

Responding to feedback from project participants, the museum has introduced new multilingual translations in its exhibition galleries and added a welcome banner in 19 languages at the main entrance – a powerful signal of inclusivity and hospitality.

A toolkit for change

Drawing on the project’s processes and activities, the research team has developed an Impact Toolkit designed to help museum staff nurture culturally inclusive practices. This toolkit also provides guidance for museums when evaluating and communicating their social impact to a wider audience.

Download the project report and impact toolkit [PDF]