The Community Cabinet is an opportunity for members of the public and community groups to curate a single, dedicated cabinet with objects of their own choice.  Objects may come from their own lives and ‘collections’; or participants may wish to explore the museum’s collections to pursue a particular subject of interest.  It is a chance for visitors to tell their own story, reveal hidden stories from within the museum or nurture a private passion and, in each case, learn about display and interpretation with the guidance of members of the museum staff.

The Museum launched this project in September 2014 with a display of New Hall china by a resident of Diss.  Next season’s displays will include Sweetheart Souvenirs (military handkerchiefs and other items), Crested China and Diss W.I. centenary celebrations.


Each exhibition will run for approximately six to eight weeks to enable as many groups/individuals as possible to participate in the project during the opening times of the Museum between March and the end of October each year. The terms and conditions are set out below.

If you are interested in participating please contact the Collection Managers either by email at disscollections@gmail.com, or by filling out the form below. If you would prefer, an ‘expression of interest form’ can be obtained from a steward at the Museum, or by contacting the Museum Manager, Basil Abbott on 01379 650618.

The Community Cabinet is a grant programme run by SHARE Museums East, itself a programme funded by the Arts Council, England and delivered to the East of England region by Norfolk Museum Services. In 2014, fourteen museums around the region received funding to develop or enhance a community cabinet. These museums are:

Community Cabinet

Terms and Conditions for displays in the Community Cabinet:
• The title and contents of the exhibition must be agreed and approved in advance by the Collection Managers.
• The parties must agree any assistance needed from the Museum.
• The Exhibitor must supply their own transport and deliver and collect their exhibits to and from the Museum on the agreed set-up and dismantle dates.
• The Exhibitor is responsible for ensuring that the contents of the display do not breach any copyright and that all relevant consents for their use have been obtained.
• At the Exhibitors' discretion, insure the contents of the exhibition whilst on the Museum's premises.
• The exhibition will be housed in a dedicated, secure cabinet.
• The Museum will not accept any liability for loss or damage to the exhibits whilst in its care.

De Havilland Aircraft Museum, London Colney, Hertfordshire
Diss Museum, Diss, Norfolk
Halesworth and District Museum, Halesworth, Suffolk
Lowewood Museum and Epping Forest District Museum, Essex
Much Hadham Forge Museum, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire
Museum of Cambridge, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket, Suffolk
National Horseracing Museum, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire
Redbourn Village Museum, Redbourn, Hertfordshire
Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre, Ridgmont, Bedfordshire
Royston Museum, Royston, Hertfordshire
Stevenage Museum, Stevenage, Hertfordshire
Three Rivers Museum, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire
Wymondham Heritage Museum, Wymondham, Norfolk

For more information about SHARE, visit www.sharemuseumseast.org.uk.

Please fill in the form below if you are interested in participating in the Community Cabinet, and we will get back to you.

Interested in exhibiting in the Community Cabinet?

Since 2014, we have had many fascinating exhibits in the Community Cabinet, such as iron rations, New Hall porcelain, decorative tins, Dig Diss and Diss Cyclathon. Take a look at the photos below to see the variety of collections we have had on display.

Montgomerie Lodge and the Masonic Province of Norfolk

The first display of 2020 comes from Montgomerie Lodge and the Masonic Province of Norfolk.

They write: “We are offering you a display showing some of the regalia and jewels, part of the uniform in the lodge, some of the ritual books (and just a little of the ritual) and some of the charitable activities Montgomerie Lodge and the Masonic Province of Norfolk have been involved with.

“We hope this will give you a better understanding of what masonry is all about.”




 

What is the Community Cabinet?

11 Market Hill
Diss
Norfolk
IP22 3JZ
01379 673613
dissmuseum@lineone.net