Celebrate was a joint project between Bedford Museum and Bedford and Kempston Libraries to celebrate the Asian community in Bedford. A series of activities took place across the sites including Rangoli pattern making, led by diversity consultant Bharti Tailor, and Indian dancing with performers from the Ravisdassia Centre in Hitchin.
The aims of the project were:
To build on links with the local Asian community
To raise awareness of museum and library services within this community and to encourage future use
to publicly celebrate Diwali, raising awareness with the wider community
The project was supported by the Gujarati Mitra Mandel in Bedford who brought in members of the Gujarati community. Pupils from the group, who are members of the Kempston Library homework club, encouraged participation amongst their fellow students and specially designed posters were displayed in strategic local places. The Rangoli triggered stories and memories amongst women and attracted the interest of other visitors.
This was a new partnership for the museum and library service and they plan to run the project together next year with additional activities and venues in order to reach a wider population.
Back to Case Studies listing
