1 00:00:07,050 --> 00:00:11,270 Claire Bown: Hello and welcome to The Art Engager podcast with me, Claire Bown. 2 00:00:14,370 --> 00:00:18,480 I'm here to share techniques and tools to help you engage with your audience 3 00:00:18,570 --> 00:00:22,020 and bring art objects and ideas to life. 4 00:00:23,220 --> 00:00:24,870 So let's dive into this week's show. 5 00:00:29,935 --> 00:00:32,865 Hello, and welcome back to The Art Engager Podcast. 6 00:00:33,195 --> 00:00:37,515 I'm Claire Bown, and today I'm chatting with Dr. Beth Daley about how 7 00:00:37,515 --> 00:00:42,254 digital cultural heritage can become a starting point for storytelling, 8 00:00:42,375 --> 00:00:45,224 exploration, and meaningful engagement. 9 00:00:45,915 --> 00:00:51,584 Beth is a novelist, writing tutor and editorial advisor at Europeana, a 10 00:00:51,584 --> 00:00:57,075 platform that brings together millions of artworks, objects, and archival materials 11 00:00:57,254 --> 00:00:59,775 from organizations across Europe. 12 00:01:00,375 --> 00:01:04,785 In our conversation, we explore what Europeana is and how people 13 00:01:04,785 --> 00:01:07,770 navigate such a. Vast digital archive. 14 00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:11,520 We talk about what happens when access isn't enough and what 15 00:01:11,520 --> 00:01:16,800 helps people move from browsing to actually creating, contributing, or 16 00:01:16,800 --> 00:01:18,990 communicating with what they find. 17 00:01:19,830 --> 00:01:23,220 Beth shares how initiatives like the Europeana Writer's Room and 18 00:01:23,220 --> 00:01:27,690 story dice provide structured low barrier ways into storytelling. 19 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:31,619 And we also unpack seven digital storytelling tips that offer a 20 00:01:31,619 --> 00:01:35,789 practical checklist for anyone shaping stories online from cultural 21 00:01:35,789 --> 00:01:38,429 professionals to independent creators. 22 00:01:38,910 --> 00:01:43,470 So if you are interested in how digital heritage can spark ideas, support 23 00:01:43,470 --> 00:01:48,600 learning, or open up new ways of working with material from the past, there's 24 00:01:48,600 --> 00:01:51,300 plenty in this conversation to think with. 25 00:01:51,960 --> 00:01:53,640 I hope you enjoy our conversation. 26 00:01:56,415 --> 00:01:59,385 Hi Beth, and welcome to The Art Engager Podcast. 27 00:02:00,135 --> 00:02:00,855 Dr Beth Daley: Thank you very much. 28 00:02:00,855 --> 00:02:01,635 It's lovely to be here. 29 00:02:01,635 --> 00:02:02,655 Thank you for having me. 30 00:02:03,445 --> 00:02:07,405 Claire Bown: We always start with, uh, an opening question, asking you to 31 00:02:07,405 --> 00:02:09,664 tell us who you are and what you do. 32 00:02:10,600 --> 00:02:15,100 Dr Beth Daley: Okay, so my name is Beth Daley and I'm a writer, a 33 00:02:15,100 --> 00:02:20,140 cultural and creative writer, and a Europeana's editorial advisor. 34 00:02:20,140 --> 00:02:21,190 That's my job title. 35 00:02:21,190 --> 00:02:26,270 So I work with Europeana on engaging audiences, and that's anybody 36 00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:28,450 in Europeana's work and content. 37 00:02:28,820 --> 00:02:32,624 But specifically because I'm a writer, my interest is writing and storytelling. 38 00:02:32,624 --> 00:02:36,679 I work on engaging writers and the networks support them in letting 39 00:02:36,679 --> 00:02:40,340 them know that your Europeana exists and how they can use it. 40 00:02:41,079 --> 00:02:41,749 Outside of your Europeana, 41 00:02:42,339 --> 00:02:45,399 Um, I've got a PhD in creative writing, published a novel, and 42 00:02:45,399 --> 00:02:49,599 I've run workshops and, and so on myself as a, a freelance writer. 43 00:02:50,644 --> 00:02:54,114 Claire Bown: So you've got many strands and many skills to your bow. 44 00:02:54,574 --> 00:02:56,674 Uh, you're a novelist, creative writing tutor. 45 00:02:56,674 --> 00:02:59,304 You are editorial advisor at Europeana. 46 00:02:59,614 --> 00:03:02,204 So how do these different strands of your work come together? 47 00:03:03,149 --> 00:03:05,689 Dr Beth Daley: Um, well, I think the thrust of it is that, um, Europeana 48 00:03:06,179 --> 00:03:10,319 is this huge database of material that's really useful for telling 49 00:03:10,319 --> 00:03:12,449 stories and I love telling stories. 50 00:03:12,509 --> 00:03:15,099 Uh, I am a writer, so bringing those two things together is 51 00:03:15,099 --> 00:03:16,299 really quite exciting for me. 52 00:03:16,399 --> 00:03:18,920 Quite an unusual position as well, I think to have. 53 00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:20,869 Claire Bown: Absolutely. 54 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:27,230 And for those who are new to it let's talk a little bit about what Europeana is now. 55 00:03:27,230 --> 00:03:28,519 I've used it many times. 56 00:03:28,519 --> 00:03:32,090 I've gone down many a rabbit hole, um, on the platform, but perhaps 57 00:03:32,090 --> 00:03:35,660 you could spell it out for everyone listening what it is, who might 58 00:03:35,660 --> 00:03:37,359 use it, and how they might use it 59 00:03:37,924 --> 00:03:38,435 Dr Beth Daley: Absolutely. 60 00:03:39,035 --> 00:03:40,714 So Europeana is a website. 61 00:03:40,904 --> 00:03:43,685 It's funded by the European Commission. 62 00:03:44,114 --> 00:03:49,594 And basically it's a website you can go to search for digital cultural heritage. 63 00:03:49,594 --> 00:03:54,004 So think of it as Europe's digital museum, or library or archive. 64 00:03:54,304 --> 00:03:58,949 So it gives you access to, I think currently 61 million things. 65 00:03:59,749 --> 00:04:03,559 So that might be pictures or photographs or artworks. 66 00:04:03,559 --> 00:04:09,769 It might be sound files, it might be videos, texts, or books or even 3D models. 67 00:04:10,099 --> 00:04:13,249 And those cover sort of almost any subject you can think of. 68 00:04:13,249 --> 00:04:15,739 If you think of all the, the libraries and museums that cover 69 00:04:15,739 --> 00:04:18,739 these vast range of subjects about, human history and heritage. 70 00:04:18,739 --> 00:04:20,659 It's all there on one website. 71 00:04:20,934 --> 00:04:25,344 And the idea is one that you, that it's there, that it exists, you can go and look 72 00:04:25,344 --> 00:04:27,954 at it, but two, that you can also use it. 73 00:04:27,954 --> 00:04:31,674 So you can use it for learning, you can use it for research, you can use it for 74 00:04:31,674 --> 00:04:36,114 creative purposes, or you can just go and, you know, have a bit of fun exploring it 75 00:04:36,971 --> 00:04:40,721 Claire Bown: So the way you just described it as a sort of content platform with 76 00:04:40,821 --> 00:04:43,221 access to all these amazing collections. 77 00:04:43,731 --> 00:04:48,321 But when someone arrives on the platform for the first time, what do you hope 78 00:04:48,321 --> 00:04:51,291 they feel invited to do or to explore? 79 00:04:51,291 --> 00:04:54,231 How might they use this platform specifically? 80 00:04:54,261 --> 00:04:54,291 Okay, 81 00:04:55,401 --> 00:04:57,771 Dr Beth Daley: so the first thing you'll see is a search bar. 82 00:04:58,191 --> 00:05:00,741 And so it's just like any other website you've been on where you, you 83 00:05:00,741 --> 00:05:03,261 search for something, you think of something you're interested in, you 84 00:05:03,261 --> 00:05:04,881 type in the search and you get results. 85 00:05:05,216 --> 00:05:08,266 Let's say I might look for mermaids. 86 00:05:08,321 --> 00:05:11,896 I might type in the word mermaids and I'll get pictures and texts and all sorts 87 00:05:11,896 --> 00:05:15,916 of things about mermaids from museums and libraries across Europe and beyond. 88 00:05:16,336 --> 00:05:17,806 And then there are are filters. 89 00:05:17,806 --> 00:05:20,056 So you might, you might put a search and it gets you. 90 00:05:20,596 --> 00:05:22,006 Literally millions of things back. 91 00:05:22,006 --> 00:05:24,976 So you need to narrow it down so you can narrow it down by where 92 00:05:24,976 --> 00:05:29,336 it comes from what language that, that the information is written in. 93 00:05:29,336 --> 00:05:32,546 Even colors that are included in, in the pictures, you can search 94 00:05:32,546 --> 00:05:33,836 by color, which is quite fun. 95 00:05:34,286 --> 00:05:36,851 So that's one way, but you might not know what you want to search for. 96 00:05:37,031 --> 00:05:39,851 So there are other ways as well exploring the collections. 97 00:05:40,191 --> 00:05:43,756 There's a page called collections, which kind of has curated. 98 00:05:44,116 --> 00:05:46,126 Um, groupings of the items. 99 00:05:46,126 --> 00:05:49,376 So you look at thematic things like industrial heritage or 100 00:05:49,376 --> 00:05:53,316 fashion, you can look at galleries that people have created. 101 00:05:53,316 --> 00:05:57,066 So that's, um, either our team or partners or members of the public creating their 102 00:05:57,066 --> 00:06:00,196 own, selections of things and then having them published our website. 103 00:06:00,496 --> 00:06:02,776 And there's a bit on there that I particularly like, which is 104 00:06:02,776 --> 00:06:05,866 called Popular Items so you can see what people have been looking at. 105 00:06:05,866 --> 00:06:09,196 So that constantly changes and it's always, uh, really interesting. 106 00:06:09,621 --> 00:06:12,831 And if you're a writer, which well we'll get to in a minute, that's 107 00:06:12,831 --> 00:06:15,321 a great place to go to because you are always gonna get something 108 00:06:15,321 --> 00:06:17,061 new that you can use as a prompt. 109 00:06:17,581 --> 00:06:20,586 And in addition to that there's a page called Stories, which is where you 110 00:06:20,586 --> 00:06:25,626 can find blog posts and exhibitions that our team or our partners 111 00:06:25,626 --> 00:06:29,696 have written which brings together those items, which can be from. 112 00:06:30,066 --> 00:06:33,456 But the magic of Europeana is that you bring together collections from 113 00:06:33,456 --> 00:06:36,666 different countries and different types of institutions so you get a greater 114 00:06:36,666 --> 00:06:38,676 context about a particular topic. 115 00:06:38,946 --> 00:06:42,776 So those stories and exhibitions present that to you rather than you having to 116 00:06:42,776 --> 00:06:44,636 go and look at each individual item. 117 00:06:44,636 --> 00:06:48,506 So there's loads of different ways that you can explore Europeana, and I would 118 00:06:48,506 --> 00:06:52,496 say just go for it and have a go because you can't break anything and you'll find 119 00:06:52,496 --> 00:06:54,146 something that interests you of that. 120 00:06:54,171 --> 00:06:55,331 I have absolutely no doubt. 121 00:06:56,016 --> 00:06:56,316 Claire Bown: Yeah. 122 00:06:56,316 --> 00:06:59,916 And I see it very much as this kind of invitation to play as well. 123 00:07:00,036 --> 00:07:02,496 Yeah, we can, we'll get onto that, I'm sure. 124 00:07:02,776 --> 00:07:06,016 But also being part of some sort of community, maybe connecting 125 00:07:06,016 --> 00:07:10,336 personally with some of the, um, objects and items that are there, even 126 00:07:10,336 --> 00:07:12,786 maybe an opportunity to slow down. 127 00:07:13,066 --> 00:07:17,746 But we are gonna talk first about using those images as kind 128 00:07:17,746 --> 00:07:21,916 of inspiration and research for writers almost as a springboard. 129 00:07:22,486 --> 00:07:27,706 So I think much of your work at Europeana involves inviting people to engage 130 00:07:27,766 --> 00:07:32,536 creatively with the objects there, with artworks and heritage collections. 131 00:07:32,806 --> 00:07:35,146 And this is often through writing. 132 00:07:35,536 --> 00:07:39,796 So let's start by thinking about what is it about starting from 133 00:07:39,796 --> 00:07:44,806 collections that makes it easier to start writing than when you are 134 00:07:44,806 --> 00:07:48,766 sitting down with a pen and a paper and you're faced with the the blank page? 135 00:07:49,471 --> 00:07:52,321 Dr Beth Daley: Yeah, well I think one of the things to sort of remember is 136 00:07:52,321 --> 00:07:54,421 that writers have always used libraries. 137 00:07:54,631 --> 00:07:58,891 Libraries have always been a place that writers can go for information to search 138 00:07:58,891 --> 00:08:01,561 things, but also for community as well. 139 00:08:01,681 --> 00:08:04,261 And so if writers have used libraries, you know, as long as 140 00:08:04,261 --> 00:08:05,701 libraries have existed, why not? 141 00:08:05,731 --> 00:08:07,921 Why wouldn't they wanna use an online version as well? 142 00:08:08,101 --> 00:08:10,201 So that was where our sort of thinking started from. 143 00:08:10,501 --> 00:08:11,221 And, um. 144 00:08:11,851 --> 00:08:14,761 I think there's two main ways to, to use the collections. 145 00:08:14,761 --> 00:08:18,331 One is for inspiration and one is for specific research. 146 00:08:18,361 --> 00:08:20,461 If you are looking, you know, if you're writing a book and you've got 147 00:08:20,461 --> 00:08:26,671 specific questions about, let's say 18th century, uh, fashions in France, you 148 00:08:26,671 --> 00:08:28,021 could go and find something like that. 149 00:08:28,441 --> 00:08:33,436 But in terms of inspiration and, and how to get started with a piece of writing. 150 00:08:33,436 --> 00:08:36,376 I think it's, it's wonderful because you look up something, 151 00:08:36,381 --> 00:08:39,811 you bring up a, a random search or you just pick something from that 152 00:08:39,811 --> 00:08:41,431 popular item section, for example. 153 00:08:41,701 --> 00:08:42,751 And there's the starting point. 154 00:08:42,751 --> 00:08:45,241 You don't have a blank page, you have a starting point already. 155 00:08:45,241 --> 00:08:46,171 You have an image. 156 00:08:46,171 --> 00:08:48,931 Um, and you might have a little bit of information. 157 00:08:49,021 --> 00:08:50,851 How much information there is about an item. 158 00:08:50,851 --> 00:08:51,691 Very much depends. 159 00:08:52,411 --> 00:08:56,011 Some have a lot, some don't have much, but you've always got something to begin with. 160 00:08:56,011 --> 00:08:59,581 So you can just, I, I love free writing so you can just set your timer for, 161 00:08:59,851 --> 00:09:03,061 let's say three minutes and say, okay, I dunno what's gonna happen, but I'm 162 00:09:03,061 --> 00:09:06,421 gonna use this image, or I'm gonna watch this video and I'm gonna just 163 00:09:06,421 --> 00:09:07,981 see what happens and I'm gonna write. 164 00:09:08,321 --> 00:09:09,116 And I'm always. 165 00:09:09,581 --> 00:09:13,301 Fascinated because this is what we do in the events we run, is that 166 00:09:13,301 --> 00:09:17,221 you give one prompt one visual artwork, for example, and everybody 167 00:09:17,221 --> 00:09:20,161 comes up with something completely different, which is just wonderful. 168 00:09:20,371 --> 00:09:24,481 So I said there were 61 million things in Europeana, and that means 169 00:09:24,481 --> 00:09:28,561 there is 61 million stories to tell because all of those things have, 170 00:09:28,561 --> 00:09:30,811 well, let's, it's infinite 'cause they have more than one story. 171 00:09:30,811 --> 00:09:33,541 But that's so many things that you can use as a starting point. 172 00:09:33,961 --> 00:09:35,936 Um, I think it's really interesting. 173 00:09:36,981 --> 00:09:39,231 You can find things that you know you just didn't know were there. 174 00:09:39,981 --> 00:09:43,761 If you think about all the things that are in, um, museum stores that they don't 175 00:09:43,761 --> 00:09:47,331 get a chance to put in the, the physical museum, like lots of those things are in 176 00:09:47,331 --> 00:09:49,401 Europeana because they've been digitized. 177 00:09:49,741 --> 00:09:52,951 Maybe partly because they can't go on display or, you know, for other reasons. 178 00:09:52,951 --> 00:09:56,251 And so you can have access to stuff that you wouldn't normally have access 179 00:09:56,251 --> 00:09:58,321 to, sort of in physical, real life. 180 00:09:58,731 --> 00:09:58,941 So. 181 00:09:59,661 --> 00:10:00,681 It's a treasure trove. 182 00:10:00,891 --> 00:10:02,451 Claire Bown: It's a world of wonder, I think. 183 00:10:02,456 --> 00:10:02,596 Dr Beth Daley: Yeah. 184 00:10:02,841 --> 00:10:03,051 Claire Bown: Yeah. 185 00:10:03,051 --> 00:10:06,681 So it's, it's really thinking about kind of removing that pressure of 186 00:10:06,681 --> 00:10:10,131 having to come up with something from scratch and the object or item 187 00:10:10,131 --> 00:10:13,821 or thing that you are looking at is there, is that kind of inspiration. 188 00:10:13,851 --> 00:10:17,961 Um, and as you say, it can bring up all sorts of things, can spark curiosity 189 00:10:18,411 --> 00:10:21,531 and you know, it can bring up all sorts of different perspectives as well. 190 00:10:22,176 --> 00:10:26,466 But you also mentioned that there's 61 million items there. 191 00:10:26,976 --> 00:10:31,406 So with large digital collections or with any digital collection, 192 00:10:31,406 --> 00:10:35,386 and I find this myself that I tend to go down a bit of a rabbit hole. 193 00:10:35,386 --> 00:10:38,271 So it's very interesting to start with. 194 00:10:38,271 --> 00:10:42,171 I'll start looking at one thing that will lead to somewhere else and somewhere else. 195 00:10:42,171 --> 00:10:44,631 And before I know it, a few hours have gone past. 196 00:10:44,721 --> 00:10:44,781 Yeah. 197 00:10:45,451 --> 00:10:50,841 So what helps move people from just looking at the material which in 198 00:10:50,841 --> 00:10:55,731 itself is a very pleasurable activity, to actively doing something with it. 199 00:10:56,336 --> 00:10:58,406 Dr Beth Daley: That's a great question and I'm so pleased to hear that you 200 00:10:58,406 --> 00:11:00,416 enjoy, uh, this kind of exploration. 201 00:11:00,416 --> 00:11:01,406 And I think that's the first thing. 202 00:11:01,406 --> 00:11:04,766 Enjoy the rabbit hole at least for a while because you can find, like 203 00:11:04,766 --> 00:11:07,226 I say, things that you didn't know existed and get some really good 204 00:11:07,226 --> 00:11:09,306 inspiration from what you find. 205 00:11:09,636 --> 00:11:13,396 There are a few, ways that you can collect or maybe start to narrow 206 00:11:13,396 --> 00:11:14,626 down what it is you're looking at. 207 00:11:14,626 --> 00:11:18,226 So I would encourage people to create a free account on Europeana so that 208 00:11:18,256 --> 00:11:20,926 you can make your own gallery so you can keep the things that you really, 209 00:11:20,926 --> 00:11:22,456 really like and come back to them. 210 00:11:22,936 --> 00:11:26,706 And then maybe start to think about I create galleries depending on themes 211 00:11:26,766 --> 00:11:30,466 and depending on what I'm working on and what I'm i'm looking at, you can hold 212 00:11:30,466 --> 00:11:33,496 onto it and come back to it later and go, oh yeah, I really loved that one. 213 00:11:33,496 --> 00:11:34,936 I'm gonna do something with that. 214 00:11:35,416 --> 00:11:40,216 Um, but we also put together we have created events and programs that people 215 00:11:40,216 --> 00:11:44,326 can join in with so that they can have a goal and have an outcome and get together 216 00:11:44,326 --> 00:11:46,096 and, and do something with other people. 217 00:11:46,666 --> 00:11:51,246 So for example, we have our monthly Europeana writers Room. 218 00:11:52,086 --> 00:11:55,481 So you can come along to that and, um, I will do the rabbit hole for you. 219 00:11:55,481 --> 00:11:59,651 I will have a theme and present you with some visual artworks or 220 00:11:59,711 --> 00:12:03,461 objects and give you prompts so that you can start something there. 221 00:12:04,041 --> 00:12:08,571 , We also take part in 'gif it up' every year, which is a contest using 222 00:12:08,571 --> 00:12:13,011 open collections, Europeana and others to create animated gifts. 223 00:12:13,791 --> 00:12:16,881 So if you are technically minded like that, you might want 224 00:12:16,881 --> 00:12:18,471 to use that as your outcome. 225 00:12:18,951 --> 00:12:24,261 Um, we also sometimes run collage workshops or we have a, a collage book 226 00:12:24,261 --> 00:12:29,211 you can download and use to make collages like coloring books, which are very nice. 227 00:12:29,681 --> 00:12:33,626 And if you are very technically minded and you would like to use some of this stuff. 228 00:12:33,726 --> 00:12:38,786 Uh, for, for example, video games or web uh, projects, we have APIs as well 229 00:12:38,786 --> 00:12:42,986 so that people can import particular searches, what have you, from the 230 00:12:43,186 --> 00:12:46,496 Europeana massive dataset and, and include them in, in some kind of 231 00:12:46,496 --> 00:12:47,966 creative digital project like that. 232 00:12:47,966 --> 00:12:52,746 So there are lots of concrete ways, um, that we offer that you can do something 233 00:12:52,836 --> 00:12:55,331 practical with your rabbit hole findings. 234 00:12:56,541 --> 00:12:59,541 Claire Bown: I guess with your experience, the platform has been going for a 235 00:12:59,541 --> 00:13:03,081 number of years now, um, and there's lots of different formats that you 236 00:13:03,081 --> 00:13:07,341 offer, but have you learned more about the different kinds of support people 237 00:13:07,341 --> 00:13:13,011 need to be able to engage creatively with digital heritage in this way? 238 00:13:13,761 --> 00:13:16,036 Dr Beth Daley: Yeah, that's a good question and I think the first thing is. 239 00:13:16,821 --> 00:13:19,641 People knowing that the resource exists, that Europeana is there for them. 240 00:13:19,641 --> 00:13:22,941 And after that, you know, creative people will do creative things, uh, 241 00:13:22,941 --> 00:13:24,231 you know, if given the resource. 242 00:13:24,291 --> 00:13:26,201 So that's the really big one, I think. 243 00:13:26,611 --> 00:13:30,361 The second thing is knowing about licensing, which might be a bit 244 00:13:30,361 --> 00:13:33,391 boring, but it's really important if you're gonna do something, 245 00:13:33,451 --> 00:13:36,221 uh, especially professionally with culture, heritage content. 246 00:13:36,491 --> 00:13:40,671 So on Europeana, every single item has, a rights statement. 247 00:13:40,911 --> 00:13:43,401 So that means you can see if it's in copyright. 248 00:13:43,416 --> 00:13:47,616 If it's in the public domain or if it's one of the sort creative commons licenses 249 00:13:47,616 --> 00:13:50,316 that lies somewhere between those things. 250 00:13:50,526 --> 00:13:52,686 So you can see whether you can use it. 251 00:13:52,686 --> 00:13:56,256 And there's a really useful filter, uh, when you're filtering down your results 252 00:13:56,256 --> 00:13:58,446 that literally says, can I use this? 253 00:13:58,506 --> 00:14:02,456 And your options are divided into Yes, yes. 254 00:14:02,456 --> 00:14:04,286 With limitations, I think. 255 00:14:04,346 --> 00:14:07,091 And possibly you'll have to contact the. 256 00:14:08,006 --> 00:14:09,176 The provider to find out. 257 00:14:09,206 --> 00:14:11,296 So Europeana doesn't own these items. 258 00:14:11,296 --> 00:14:14,951 The, the museums and libraries and archives own the cultural heritage items. 259 00:14:14,951 --> 00:14:17,111 We just display them and give access to them. 260 00:14:17,411 --> 00:14:19,001 So we are not in charge of the licensing. 261 00:14:19,001 --> 00:14:21,391 So we show what can be done with that item. 262 00:14:21,751 --> 00:14:24,121 And then if you wanna know more about it, you have to go through 263 00:14:24,121 --> 00:14:26,971 to the providing institution and see what you can do with it. 264 00:14:26,971 --> 00:14:32,391 But I think about 50% of the items on your piano are what we call open licenses. 265 00:14:32,391 --> 00:14:36,291 So you can use them, but either in the public domain or they are licensed such 266 00:14:36,291 --> 00:14:37,881 that you are permitted to use them. 267 00:14:38,271 --> 00:14:42,351 And it is always good practice to say where you've got them from to credit 268 00:14:42,351 --> 00:14:47,271 them, um, and to license whatever you're doing with that in the same 269 00:14:47,271 --> 00:14:48,751 way as those licenses allow you to. 270 00:14:49,801 --> 00:14:51,901 So that's really important, knowing about licensing. 271 00:14:52,871 --> 00:14:57,391 Um, and then like you said earlier you can go down rabbit holes, but 272 00:14:57,391 --> 00:14:58,741 you might want more structure. 273 00:14:58,921 --> 00:15:02,761 So that's support that we offer and that we are continuing to develop. 274 00:15:02,791 --> 00:15:07,831 So we are starting to work on more tutorials, um, and workshops and having 275 00:15:07,831 --> 00:15:11,131 these downloadable resources like the collage book that I mentioned, and we 276 00:15:11,131 --> 00:15:16,291 have story dice, which are particularly useful for writers and, uh, people working 277 00:15:16,321 --> 00:15:21,446 with young people perhaps in education, um, working on creativity or writing the 278 00:15:21,446 --> 00:15:22,916 story that are really useful for that. 279 00:15:23,186 --> 00:15:26,636 And like I say, we're working more on this area, so if anyone has any thoughts 280 00:15:26,636 --> 00:15:30,176 about what they would need to be able to implement Europeana's resources in 281 00:15:30,176 --> 00:15:34,086 whatever field they work in, do get in touch because we'd love to hear from you. 282 00:15:35,456 --> 00:15:39,656 Claire Bown: So you've mentioned, uh, some of the creative tools and activities 283 00:15:39,656 --> 00:15:46,056 and structures that Europeana has created alongside the collections on the platform. 284 00:15:46,416 --> 00:15:48,426 Um, can we go back to the writer's room? 285 00:15:48,456 --> 00:15:51,991 'cause I think this sounds, uh, super interesting, kind community for 286 00:15:51,991 --> 00:15:54,781 writers happens on a monthly basis. 287 00:15:54,781 --> 00:15:59,071 Can you tell me a little bit about what kind of space it is and 288 00:15:59,191 --> 00:16:02,941 what does meeting regularly make possible for the participants? 289 00:16:03,661 --> 00:16:06,661 Dr Beth Daley: Okay, so the Europeana Writer's Room happens once a month, 290 00:16:06,721 --> 00:16:11,521 usually on the first Wednesday of the month, and it's a session that takes 291 00:16:11,521 --> 00:16:14,461 place on Zoom, uh, facilitated by myself. 292 00:16:14,821 --> 00:16:16,726 And every month we have a theme. 293 00:16:17,776 --> 00:16:22,456 Um, so the one coming up, uh, that I'm working on right now is about creativity 294 00:16:22,456 --> 00:16:27,556 from uncertainty because there is so much uncertainty and anxiety in the world at 295 00:16:27,556 --> 00:16:31,066 the moment, and I thought it would be nice to, let's just explore that little 296 00:16:31,066 --> 00:16:33,286 bit using culture, heritage collections. 297 00:16:33,286 --> 00:16:37,276 So what we do is meet together on Zoom and we go into, we use 298 00:16:37,276 --> 00:16:38,326 something called Mentimeter. 299 00:16:38,556 --> 00:16:43,186 Which is, an online, experience, user QR code or, or a link to get into it. 300 00:16:43,186 --> 00:16:46,516 And the prompts and the questions appear on your screen or on your 301 00:16:46,516 --> 00:16:48,736 phone, and you can answer on there. 302 00:16:48,736 --> 00:16:51,706 And then all the results show on the zoom screen so that we can 303 00:16:51,706 --> 00:16:52,876 all see what we've done together. 304 00:16:52,876 --> 00:16:56,056 So we can create, uh, like word clouds to answer a question 305 00:16:56,056 --> 00:16:58,696 or short answers to a prompt. 306 00:16:58,906 --> 00:17:02,026 So it might be I put up a picture and say. 307 00:17:02,281 --> 00:17:03,751 Just simply how does this make you feel? 308 00:17:03,751 --> 00:17:08,661 And people put some emotions up there, or, um, we've got one coming up on women 309 00:17:08,661 --> 00:17:12,231 in mythology, so I've been thinking about the kinds of questions I could ask there 310 00:17:12,231 --> 00:17:16,321 About, um, Scheherazade the 1001 nights and how each of her 311 00:17:16,321 --> 00:17:17,821 stories ended in a cliffhanger. 312 00:17:17,881 --> 00:17:21,056 So I'm gonna ask people to write a cliffhanger, you 313 00:17:21,056 --> 00:17:22,201 know, just a short sentence. 314 00:17:22,201 --> 00:17:24,661 And then we, we have a little look at them and we just kind of. 315 00:17:24,926 --> 00:17:27,566 Enjoy the fact that everybody has put in something different. 316 00:17:28,076 --> 00:17:29,606 And so they're kind of warmups. 317 00:17:29,816 --> 00:17:32,396 And then we go to sort of free writing. 318 00:17:32,396 --> 00:17:35,516 So we usually have three five minute free writes. 319 00:17:35,606 --> 00:17:38,696 Again, themed on whatever the theme is we're talking about at that moment. 320 00:17:38,996 --> 00:17:42,336 And people have five minutes quiet to write on their own. 321 00:17:42,496 --> 00:17:45,876 So that's not in the Mentimeter, this is not shared, it's just is for themselves. 322 00:17:46,416 --> 00:17:50,066 And then if they wish to, they tell me in the chat, you know, how they've 323 00:17:50,066 --> 00:17:53,846 got on whether they enjoyed it which ones they got stuck on, which ones 324 00:17:53,846 --> 00:17:55,286 kind of flowed better for them. 325 00:17:55,526 --> 00:17:58,256 Sometimes people share what, a little bit of what they've written, 326 00:17:58,256 --> 00:17:59,726 but they, they don't have to, that. 327 00:18:00,026 --> 00:18:01,016 Not why we are there. 328 00:18:01,226 --> 00:18:05,096 The purpose of it is to give people a chance to get over their blank 329 00:18:05,096 --> 00:18:10,371 page, a chance to have an hour of creativity in their month, and we find 330 00:18:10,371 --> 00:18:14,121 we get some really lovely comments and feedback to say that just simply 331 00:18:14,121 --> 00:18:15,801 that is really valuable for people. 332 00:18:16,326 --> 00:18:19,086 And I think especially, you know, people who are working really hard, 333 00:18:19,086 --> 00:18:22,916 really busy, maybe even at technical jobs or whatever, they, having an hour 334 00:18:22,916 --> 00:18:26,696 of creativity is hugely valuable to them and more so than they kind of 335 00:18:26,696 --> 00:18:28,106 think when they join at the beginning. 336 00:18:28,156 --> 00:18:32,321 So the writers' rooms are a low barrier to access. 337 00:18:32,321 --> 00:18:34,211 I think they're really easy to join in. 338 00:18:34,671 --> 00:18:37,731 It's a really gentle space for people to come. 339 00:18:37,781 --> 00:18:38,081 And. 340 00:18:38,836 --> 00:18:42,286 The different themes every month being that there's always new stories 341 00:18:42,286 --> 00:18:44,386 to tell and keep people coming back. 342 00:18:44,536 --> 00:18:49,686 And we've only started this in September, 2025, so we're developing, a group 343 00:18:49,686 --> 00:18:53,046 of people who are returning, which is really nice to see while still 344 00:18:53,096 --> 00:18:54,836 getting new people every time as well. 345 00:18:54,836 --> 00:18:58,196 So it's developing and it's, it's really. 346 00:18:58,986 --> 00:19:02,106 Really lovely to see that people are enjoying it and that they're starting 347 00:19:02,106 --> 00:19:04,416 to use Europeana for this purpose. 348 00:19:06,051 --> 00:19:09,561 Claire Bown: Yeah, it's such a, a lovely idea that kind of safeguarding 349 00:19:09,561 --> 00:19:15,581 that time, even if it's an hour a month to be creative, to explore 350 00:19:15,581 --> 00:19:19,181 some wonderful images or whatever you might be bringing up for them. 351 00:19:19,211 --> 00:19:20,201 I love the sound of that. 352 00:19:20,251 --> 00:19:23,701 And you also mentioned the story dice. 353 00:19:23,751 --> 00:19:25,041 These are really playful. 354 00:19:25,041 --> 00:19:28,431 Can you perhaps describe them to our listeners who may not 355 00:19:28,431 --> 00:19:30,411 be able to see them right now? 356 00:19:30,771 --> 00:19:31,221 And. 357 00:19:31,296 --> 00:19:34,656 Tell us a little bit about what you were hoping these story dice 358 00:19:34,686 --> 00:19:39,036 might make easier for people, uh, encountering digital heritage. 359 00:19:39,906 --> 00:19:40,506 Dr Beth Daley: Absolutely. 360 00:19:41,016 --> 00:19:47,796 So these story dice we launched on World Storytelling Day last year, and it is a 361 00:19:47,796 --> 00:19:54,306 PDF download that you can get from the website that you then cut out and fold up. 362 00:19:54,366 --> 00:19:56,751 And what you end up with is six cubes. 363 00:19:57,536 --> 00:20:00,056 Cardboard or paper, whatever you printed them out on with a 364 00:20:00,056 --> 00:20:00,926 different picture on each side. 365 00:20:02,261 --> 00:20:04,446 So they're dice and they've got pictures on each side. 366 00:20:05,046 --> 00:20:07,306 And each dice has a different theme. 367 00:20:07,366 --> 00:20:09,946 So there might be one with characters. 368 00:20:09,946 --> 00:20:15,016 So portraits from the collections of people, different genders, different ages. 369 00:20:15,046 --> 00:20:18,226 We've got one with, uh, again, uh, portraits, but they're. 370 00:20:18,521 --> 00:20:21,581 That's for different expressions, different moods. 371 00:20:22,001 --> 00:20:24,461 We've got one with landscapes and weather. 372 00:20:24,941 --> 00:20:26,321 We've got one with transport. 373 00:20:26,321 --> 00:20:29,291 There's one with some lovely random objects on it. 374 00:20:29,621 --> 00:20:36,251 So you can roll the dice and choose an image and well, it's open-ended, so 375 00:20:36,251 --> 00:20:38,141 how you use it is completely up to you. 376 00:20:38,596 --> 00:20:41,866 But they're really good for individuals or for group work. 377 00:20:42,496 --> 00:20:46,336 Um, let's say you could use it to, for, for storytelling or you could use it some 378 00:20:46,336 --> 00:20:48,526 kind of problem solving or discussion. 379 00:20:49,126 --> 00:20:53,716 And on the website we've got, um, six examples of different ways to use them. 380 00:20:54,076 --> 00:20:58,906 And that webpage is translated into all the Europeana Union languages. 381 00:20:58,996 --> 00:21:02,736 Um, and the story dice itself don't have any text on them, so there. 382 00:21:03,141 --> 00:21:06,621 Uh, easy to use for anybody in any language, which is great. 383 00:21:07,371 --> 00:21:13,431 So for an example, you could roll all six dice and then try to write a story 384 00:21:13,431 --> 00:21:17,016 or tell a story that includes the images that are on the top when you throw them. 385 00:21:17,731 --> 00:21:21,331 Or maybe you're in a group and the first person rolls one and they 386 00:21:21,331 --> 00:21:24,961 start the story, then the next person rolls another one and incorporates 387 00:21:24,961 --> 00:21:26,581 whatever they see on that one. 388 00:21:27,111 --> 00:21:28,431 There's also a few games on there. 389 00:21:28,431 --> 00:21:33,101 Uh, there's a way of using it like as a Beatle drive kind of game, or maybe it's 390 00:21:33,101 --> 00:21:37,781 consequences, you know, where everybody adds a, a to a story as you go along. 391 00:21:37,781 --> 00:21:41,261 But like I said, it's open-ended, so it really is up to, um. 392 00:21:42,311 --> 00:21:46,211 To facilitator or person using them to see where it takes. 393 00:21:46,511 --> 00:21:47,921 And also just really beautiful. 394 00:21:47,921 --> 00:21:50,741 So if you just print them out on a nice card and have them in your 395 00:21:50,741 --> 00:21:54,521 room or in your office, there was something tactile to sort of be around, 396 00:21:54,526 --> 00:21:55,811 they're, they're really beautiful. 397 00:21:57,206 --> 00:21:59,366 Claire Bown: So wonderful resources that you developed. 398 00:21:59,366 --> 00:22:02,906 I think you've also got some longer form support as well, training 399 00:22:02,906 --> 00:22:05,006 courses, residencies, awards. 400 00:22:05,316 --> 00:22:08,046 Can you talk a little bit about those options as well? 401 00:22:08,316 --> 00:22:09,306 Dr Beth Daley: Yep, sure. 402 00:22:09,666 --> 00:22:14,526 So we have something called the Europeana Academy, which offers free online 403 00:22:14,526 --> 00:22:16,656 courses for a whole range of things. 404 00:22:16,656 --> 00:22:22,356 So behind that Europeana EU website is a massive network of professionals and 405 00:22:22,356 --> 00:22:24,276 processes and structures that makes. 406 00:22:24,456 --> 00:22:25,361 Europeana happen. 407 00:22:25,631 --> 00:22:29,051 So there are courses that are really technical that relate to some of 408 00:22:29,051 --> 00:22:32,381 those processes, but there are also, um, storytelling courses. 409 00:22:32,381 --> 00:22:36,521 So we've got one, uh, that introduces you to Europeana collections and stories. 410 00:22:36,521 --> 00:22:40,791 And then we have another about how to tell great stories and, uh, and even 411 00:22:40,791 --> 00:22:42,741 to write the Europeana if you want to. 412 00:22:43,141 --> 00:22:46,751 And we, they are on the Europeana Academy constantly. 413 00:22:46,751 --> 00:22:49,841 You can log on and take them, but we also every quarter run. 414 00:22:50,161 --> 00:22:54,541 Uh, zoom sessions where I'll lead you through those courses so you can go and 415 00:22:54,541 --> 00:22:58,051 do them and come back and feedback and ask questions and talk to, you know, 416 00:22:58,051 --> 00:23:01,441 a cohort of people who are doing at the same time, which is really nice. 417 00:23:02,001 --> 00:23:02,871 So there's that one. 418 00:23:03,111 --> 00:23:07,311 Every year we run a digital storytelling festival, which takes place this 419 00:23:07,311 --> 00:23:09,651 year on the 19th and 20th of May. 420 00:23:09,921 --> 00:23:13,661 And that is an online, it's like a conference to do with. 421 00:23:14,221 --> 00:23:15,091 Digital storytelling. 422 00:23:15,091 --> 00:23:19,201 So we invite speakers from, not just from the culture, heritage sector, but from 423 00:23:19,201 --> 00:23:23,431 beyond as well, that are doing really interesting things in storytelling. 424 00:23:23,431 --> 00:23:27,801 And with that also includes workshops and sort of social moments like quizzes 425 00:23:27,801 --> 00:23:32,391 or, uh, we've had sessions where we listen to, uh, music together and 426 00:23:32,391 --> 00:23:34,191 answer questions as we go through. 427 00:23:34,671 --> 00:23:37,191 And from that storytelling festival. 428 00:23:37,746 --> 00:23:40,986 We heard from our audiences that they'd really like, uh, the 429 00:23:40,986 --> 00:23:42,486 opportunity to dive in deeper. 430 00:23:42,486 --> 00:23:44,616 So we've got the workshops in that festival, but they'd 431 00:23:44,616 --> 00:23:45,726 like to do something more. 432 00:23:45,936 --> 00:23:51,186 So we developed the online Creative Residency, which is in its fourth year 433 00:23:51,186 --> 00:23:54,556 and has just opened for applications. 434 00:23:54,556 --> 00:23:56,956 They closed on the 20th of March. 435 00:23:57,336 --> 00:24:02,436 And that is where we have, uh, we invite participants to, um. 436 00:24:03,561 --> 00:24:06,831 To use your piano collections on a particular theme in a range of 437 00:24:06,831 --> 00:24:08,721 formats to produce something new. 438 00:24:08,871 --> 00:24:13,311 So this year our theme is science, which is very broad, and we have 439 00:24:13,311 --> 00:24:17,451 formats such as creative writing where people can, uh, produce, uh, some 440 00:24:17,451 --> 00:24:19,481 poetry or prose or something else. 441 00:24:19,871 --> 00:24:22,811 And things like stop motion animation, gif animation. 442 00:24:22,811 --> 00:24:24,626 We've got video, social media. 443 00:24:25,206 --> 00:24:28,571 We are developing, uh, walking tours this year, in fact. 444 00:24:28,751 --> 00:24:30,311 And final one. 445 00:24:30,591 --> 00:24:35,451 Is collage art, so you can apply for any one of those uh, formats 446 00:24:35,451 --> 00:24:36,981 on your work with a mentor. 447 00:24:37,041 --> 00:24:41,511 I'm the mentor for the creative writing section, and over a couple of months in 448 00:24:41,516 --> 00:24:45,801 the the summer we were in workshops, we help people navigate the website, learn 449 00:24:45,801 --> 00:24:47,901 about the licensing I mentioned earlier. 450 00:24:48,116 --> 00:24:51,806 Learn how to use that cultural heritage to, to create something 451 00:24:51,806 --> 00:24:53,036 in their chosen format. 452 00:24:53,396 --> 00:24:56,996 And then we hopefully see that published on Europeana or on a, on 453 00:24:56,996 --> 00:25:00,746 a, a relevant social media platform or YouTube or what have you. 454 00:25:01,226 --> 00:25:06,056 And that means that the participants get, they, first of all, they get to, 455 00:25:06,086 --> 00:25:07,496 they get to learn together with a group. 456 00:25:07,496 --> 00:25:11,126 They also get one-to-one skill building with a, with an expert 457 00:25:11,126 --> 00:25:13,016 in that area, which is, uh. 458 00:25:13,901 --> 00:25:15,191 Is really valuable to them. 459 00:25:15,671 --> 00:25:18,531 And particularly we found that students and young people don't 460 00:25:18,531 --> 00:25:21,981 necessarily always get that one-to-one mentoring anymore at universities. 461 00:25:21,981 --> 00:25:25,041 It's changed quite a lot since, since I was at university, so 462 00:25:25,041 --> 00:25:28,671 having that opportunity can be really, really valuable to them. 463 00:25:29,511 --> 00:25:29,751 Yeah. 464 00:25:29,751 --> 00:25:31,951 And there was one more that you mentioned, the awards, the Europeana 465 00:25:32,631 --> 00:25:34,581 Creative Climate Action Award. 466 00:25:34,611 --> 00:25:37,311 We have run for the first time this year, applications are 467 00:25:37,311 --> 00:25:40,821 closed and we're in the middle of judging, so the Europeana network. 468 00:25:42,036 --> 00:25:45,126 Which is one of those one of those structures behind the Europeana, 469 00:25:45,256 --> 00:25:49,496 uh, sort of initiative has uh, lemme start that one again. 470 00:25:50,846 --> 00:25:54,896 So the Europeana has, uh, something called the Europeana Network Association, 471 00:25:54,896 --> 00:25:58,196 which is a huge network of professionals who are interested in culture and 472 00:25:58,196 --> 00:26:00,686 heritage, or in technology or in both. 473 00:26:00,956 --> 00:26:04,406 And they can join the network and contribute to sort of the 474 00:26:04,616 --> 00:26:06,146 Europeana initiative as a whole. 475 00:26:06,506 --> 00:26:11,136 And it has, a selection of communities and one of them is about climate action. 476 00:26:11,316 --> 00:26:14,556 So we have joined forces with the Climate Action Community this 477 00:26:14,556 --> 00:26:19,291 year to run our first ever ANA Creative Climate Action award. 478 00:26:20,096 --> 00:26:25,916 So what we did was we created a gallery of images on Europeana that related to 479 00:26:25,916 --> 00:26:29,966 nature and climate, and then we asked people to respond to them in the less 480 00:26:29,966 --> 00:26:32,306 than 500 words of poetry or prose. 481 00:26:32,666 --> 00:26:36,566 And we are in the process of judging those and we hope to have 482 00:26:36,566 --> 00:26:41,666 an exhibition with the winners, uh, for a Earth Day later this year. 483 00:26:41,976 --> 00:26:45,336 And hopefully to run something similar again in the future because 484 00:26:45,336 --> 00:26:46,596 we've had a really good response. 485 00:26:46,596 --> 00:26:50,706 People like to have that specific way of interacting with the collections 486 00:26:50,706 --> 00:26:55,746 and producing something, but they also like to be able to interact with, I 487 00:26:55,746 --> 00:26:59,406 guess the issues of today, like the things that are relevant to them. 488 00:26:59,406 --> 00:27:01,956 So climate action is one of those things. 489 00:27:01,956 --> 00:27:05,106 So using this historical heritage material, but. 490 00:27:05,641 --> 00:27:11,501 Interacting with a relevant sort of modern problem is, has been really valuable. 491 00:27:12,881 --> 00:27:17,931 Claire Bown: So a huge range of tools, activities courses, 492 00:27:17,931 --> 00:27:21,351 platforms, residencies, wards, all the things that you described there. 493 00:27:21,351 --> 00:27:24,621 And I think it was really useful to kind of go through them all, um, because 494 00:27:24,621 --> 00:27:29,071 now I'd like to really think about the listeners of this podcast, many of whom 495 00:27:29,071 --> 00:27:35,866 work in museums or heritage organizations, and how might they think of using or use 496 00:27:35,876 --> 00:27:41,536 Europeana as a resource when designing their own creative or story storytelling 497 00:27:41,536 --> 00:27:43,216 activities around collections. 498 00:27:44,746 --> 00:27:46,096 Dr Beth Daley: That's a really great question. 499 00:27:46,096 --> 00:27:49,276 I think what some of the things that we've learned about designing 500 00:27:49,276 --> 00:27:50,506 these creative engagements. 501 00:27:51,391 --> 00:27:56,071 Is that, um, and things that then other people could do too is that 502 00:27:56,071 --> 00:28:00,091 it's important to allow people that time to explore the collections. 503 00:28:00,091 --> 00:28:03,211 You know, you mentioned loving doing that and going down that rabbit 504 00:28:03,211 --> 00:28:05,761 hole, and I think it's important that you get chance to do that. 505 00:28:06,481 --> 00:28:10,371 To build familiarity with the collections and the themes that 506 00:28:10,371 --> 00:28:11,661 you might be interested in. 507 00:28:12,051 --> 00:28:15,996 Um, we like to give people that chance to understand, you know, the search functions 508 00:28:15,996 --> 00:28:19,916 and, and the copyright you know, the right statements that they might need to know 509 00:28:19,916 --> 00:28:23,186 about before they embark on their project. 510 00:28:23,906 --> 00:28:29,006 We also like to make the sessions and the interactions really practical. 511 00:28:29,846 --> 00:28:35,066 So that you are giving participants some, some space and some dedicated time to, to 512 00:28:35,066 --> 00:28:37,016 learn or to create or to make something. 513 00:28:37,596 --> 00:28:41,436 We also encourage exploration in sort of small iterative ways. 514 00:28:41,436 --> 00:28:45,426 Like I said, the writer's room is, it has these very small little, uh, warmups 515 00:28:45,426 --> 00:28:50,521 and then free writes, um, so that you can build, um, on a theme and, and 516 00:28:50,526 --> 00:28:53,586 develop a bit of confidence, I think, as well, rather than going straight into a 517 00:28:53,586 --> 00:28:57,036 huge endeavor, you can go step by step. 518 00:28:57,306 --> 00:29:01,116 So yeah, it's more about the process than the end result some of the time. 519 00:29:02,211 --> 00:29:07,491 Um, I think being able to use cultural heritage collections means that your 520 00:29:07,491 --> 00:29:12,051 participants can explore their own interests as well, and their own 521 00:29:12,051 --> 00:29:15,471 backgrounds and their own cultural heritage and incorporate that. 522 00:29:15,681 --> 00:29:19,591 So I think it's nice to be open to what their participants will bring to 523 00:29:19,591 --> 00:29:23,791 a session or to a project rather than necessarily give them everything and say, 524 00:29:23,791 --> 00:29:25,651 right, your, these are your boundaries. 525 00:29:25,681 --> 00:29:30,426 Allow them to bring their own experiences to those projects as well. 526 00:29:35,796 --> 00:29:38,681 Claire Bown: And I think that's super interesting as well because, it's less 527 00:29:38,681 --> 00:29:44,211 a case of opening up the collection for people to have a good dig around and more 528 00:29:44,211 --> 00:29:48,701 about thinking, okay, we have that, but what, what can we offer on top of that 529 00:29:48,701 --> 00:29:53,681 might enable people to engage in different ways with what we have in our collections? 530 00:29:54,271 --> 00:29:59,221 And you've also developed this set of seven digital storytelling tips. 531 00:29:59,681 --> 00:30:03,361 Can you briefly explain something about those and why those were created? 532 00:30:05,411 --> 00:30:10,451 Dr Beth Daley: So yeah, we have seven tips for cultural heritage professionals, 533 00:30:10,451 --> 00:30:15,881 but they are really applicable to storytelling in all sorts of settings. 534 00:30:15,881 --> 00:30:17,981 So you don't need to be a cultural heritage professional 535 00:30:17,986 --> 00:30:19,391 to, to benefit from them. 536 00:30:19,821 --> 00:30:21,561 I'll tell you about where they came from. 537 00:30:21,561 --> 00:30:25,411 We had what we call a task force, so kind of like a working group of, of 538 00:30:25,411 --> 00:30:29,941 professionals from our network that I mentioned earlier, um, who came together 539 00:30:29,971 --> 00:30:34,951 to explore the idea of Europeana being a powerful platform for storytelling. 540 00:30:35,506 --> 00:30:38,476 Um, which is something that the Europeana, um, commission had called it. 541 00:30:38,536 --> 00:30:41,146 And I thought to myself, well, what does it mean to be a powerful 542 00:30:41,146 --> 00:30:42,526 platform for storytelling? 543 00:30:42,856 --> 00:30:43,966 How can we develop this? 544 00:30:43,966 --> 00:30:48,676 So this task force of, I think about 26, 28 people from different countries 545 00:30:48,676 --> 00:30:52,066 all around world came together online during COVID, actually it was 546 00:30:52,066 --> 00:30:54,366 our first fully online task force. 547 00:30:54,756 --> 00:30:55,806 And we. 548 00:30:56,286 --> 00:31:00,216 Looked at storytelling experiences digital storytelling 549 00:31:00,216 --> 00:31:02,976 experiences online that we liked. 550 00:31:02,976 --> 00:31:08,526 That was a single criteria was go out and find something that you enjoy or 551 00:31:08,526 --> 00:31:12,936 you react to emotionally and recreated a long list of these experiences. 552 00:31:12,936 --> 00:31:16,086 So they might have been videos that might have been exhibitions, 553 00:31:16,086 --> 00:31:19,416 there might have been little games, there might have been social media 554 00:31:19,466 --> 00:31:21,266 series of posts, anything like that. 555 00:31:21,746 --> 00:31:23,131 And then we sort of analyzed them. 556 00:31:24,101 --> 00:31:28,101 And we came up with a short list of three sort of very different experiences. 557 00:31:28,251 --> 00:31:30,111 And we looked at, okay, well we liked them. 558 00:31:30,291 --> 00:31:33,381 That was our criteria, but what did those, uh, creators of those 559 00:31:33,471 --> 00:31:36,261 experiences do to make us like them? 560 00:31:36,501 --> 00:31:40,851 And outta that, we came up with this sort of trend of approaches. 561 00:31:41,631 --> 00:31:45,351 That creators tend to use and we enjoy their experiences. 562 00:31:45,381 --> 00:31:49,281 So these, I think the seven things that are not rocket science. 563 00:31:49,641 --> 00:31:53,181 They're, uh, very straightforward and they're really, really good 564 00:31:53,181 --> 00:31:57,591 checklist, I think for when you are starting a storytelling project. 565 00:31:57,591 --> 00:31:58,791 And that might be your. 566 00:31:59,331 --> 00:32:03,351 Developing a website or you're developing a presentation that you're gonna do, or, 567 00:32:04,371 --> 00:32:06,681 uh, you know, writing, writing an article. 568 00:32:07,011 --> 00:32:09,771 And you can use 'em as a checklist at the beginning, but also if you start to get 569 00:32:09,771 --> 00:32:13,641 stuck, you might think, well, something's not quite right, but I'm not sure. 570 00:32:13,671 --> 00:32:17,151 You can come back to this list of storytelling tips and go, okay, I see. 571 00:32:17,151 --> 00:32:18,591 Now I, I've missed out that one. 572 00:32:18,951 --> 00:32:20,906 Not that you would use all seven necessarily every time. 573 00:32:21,276 --> 00:32:24,156 And then, you know, when you get to the end, have I hit all these points 574 00:32:24,156 --> 00:32:25,566 or is there anything that's weaker? 575 00:32:26,106 --> 00:32:28,166 So I'll tell you very briefly what they are. 576 00:32:28,226 --> 00:32:32,506 You can go on, uh, a website and find all sorts of different formations of them. 577 00:32:32,506 --> 00:32:36,016 We've got a video, we've got infographics, we've got them in many languages. 578 00:32:36,376 --> 00:32:40,786 Um, so I won't go into huge detail of them now, but things like be 579 00:32:40,786 --> 00:32:45,316 personal and I think we often forget that we can do that as professionals. 580 00:32:45,736 --> 00:32:46,306 I think. 581 00:32:46,981 --> 00:32:50,161 We maybe start to, we we're good at storytelling when we're younger because 582 00:32:50,161 --> 00:32:53,371 it comes naturally, it's a very human thing, but through education and 583 00:32:53,371 --> 00:32:58,231 through professional structures, we kind of lose that ability to connect 584 00:32:58,291 --> 00:33:00,001 with ourselves, I think, as well. 585 00:33:00,001 --> 00:33:03,001 And the human elements, this is all about bringing the human 586 00:33:03,001 --> 00:33:04,171 element back into it, really. 587 00:33:04,441 --> 00:33:05,251 So be personal. 588 00:33:05,251 --> 00:33:06,571 Why do you connect with the story? 589 00:33:06,571 --> 00:33:07,921 Who in the story can you connect with? 590 00:33:07,921 --> 00:33:09,781 How can you connect with the audiences? 591 00:33:10,711 --> 00:33:13,141 Uh, be informal but expert. 592 00:33:13,351 --> 00:33:14,851 So that's about being accessible. 593 00:33:14,851 --> 00:33:19,621 So we don't wanna inundate people with too much academic or technical language sort 594 00:33:19,621 --> 00:33:21,751 meet people in the language that they use. 595 00:33:22,201 --> 00:33:25,531 Really important for cultural heritage is about telling hidden stories. 596 00:33:25,576 --> 00:33:32,011 So lots of the collections that we have across Europe and the world tell history 597 00:33:32,011 --> 00:33:34,001 from quite a one-sided perspective. 598 00:33:34,001 --> 00:33:37,511 So have a look and see whose voice is not being heard there. 599 00:33:37,541 --> 00:33:41,411 What else can you tell, which is quite hard if it's not there front of you. 600 00:33:41,801 --> 00:33:45,281 But you can also use your audiences to help you discover and to 601 00:33:45,281 --> 00:33:47,111 contribute to telling those stories. 602 00:33:47,831 --> 00:33:52,241 Uh, specifically for, um, visual storytelling, illustrate your points. 603 00:33:52,241 --> 00:33:54,521 So you can use the culture heritage material, or you could 604 00:33:54,521 --> 00:33:56,951 use video, you could use diagrams. 605 00:33:56,951 --> 00:34:02,321 You can break up your story with illustrations and signpost your journey. 606 00:34:02,321 --> 00:34:06,431 So this is all about letting the audience know that they're in good 607 00:34:06,431 --> 00:34:10,691 hands, that they're being taken through the journey with a, you know, they've 608 00:34:10,691 --> 00:34:11,831 got a good leader to take them through. 609 00:34:11,831 --> 00:34:12,971 So that might be to do with. 610 00:34:13,751 --> 00:34:18,221 Navigation on a website, making sure your navigation is sensible and easy to follow. 611 00:34:18,521 --> 00:34:23,471 Might be to do with headings and subheadings, making sure that A, 612 00:34:23,471 --> 00:34:26,741 they exist and B, they useful, which is also really good for, you 613 00:34:26,741 --> 00:34:28,661 know, SEO and that kind of thing. 614 00:34:29,291 --> 00:34:31,451 Then the last two, you know, be specific. 615 00:34:31,766 --> 00:34:34,406 This is one that always surprised me a little bit. 616 00:34:34,436 --> 00:34:38,966 'cause when we looked at the examples, my instinct would be that people, 617 00:34:38,996 --> 00:34:42,396 these storytelling experiences that were successful would kind of 618 00:34:42,396 --> 00:34:45,996 give you a, a big picture and maybe then hone in on something specific. 619 00:34:45,996 --> 00:34:47,436 But they didn't, they did the opposite. 620 00:34:47,616 --> 00:34:51,516 They started with something maybe specific and they held onto that maybe expanding 621 00:34:51,516 --> 00:34:54,336 and contracting and going in different directions where they always held that 622 00:34:54,336 --> 00:34:57,496 very specific goal or idea throughout. 623 00:34:57,646 --> 00:34:57,886 Um. 624 00:34:58,176 --> 00:35:01,626 And with writing as well, I would say lean on the detail. 625 00:35:01,686 --> 00:35:02,856 That's really useful. 626 00:35:02,856 --> 00:35:04,206 That's what brings writing to life. 627 00:35:04,206 --> 00:35:05,136 So be specific. 628 00:35:05,496 --> 00:35:09,636 And the final one, which I think is again, really difficult for professionals 629 00:35:09,636 --> 00:35:11,046 sometimes is to be evocative. 630 00:35:11,496 --> 00:35:14,316 So just because you are producing something professional doesn't 631 00:35:14,316 --> 00:35:16,506 mean it can't be, uh, emotive. 632 00:35:16,506 --> 00:35:19,421 Doesn't mean you can't play little bit or experiment with language. 633 00:35:20,191 --> 00:35:24,661 Um, or structure, uh, I think just to have a go and what you do when you're 634 00:35:24,661 --> 00:35:28,411 preparing a story doesn't have to be what, what goes out in the end if 635 00:35:28,411 --> 00:35:31,561 indeed you're working on something that has a, a publication as an outcome. 636 00:35:31,771 --> 00:35:35,701 So give yourself time and space to experiment and try things 637 00:35:35,761 --> 00:35:37,621 and, uh, yeah, be evocative. 638 00:35:38,011 --> 00:35:41,221 So they're really good for, for helping you scaffold your story, 639 00:35:41,221 --> 00:35:42,961 but also to help you experiment. 640 00:35:42,961 --> 00:35:43,561 So, bye. 641 00:35:43,616 --> 00:35:47,906 I love these tips and I think they're really useful still several years 642 00:35:47,906 --> 00:35:49,346 on after we put them together. 643 00:35:49,406 --> 00:35:52,566 So I'd encourage anyone to go click on the link, find the seven storytelling 644 00:35:52,566 --> 00:35:55,806 tips from Europeana, and, and I hope that they'll be really useful for people. 645 00:35:56,781 --> 00:35:58,341 Claire Bown: Yeah, I can see there would be, and we'll put the 646 00:35:58,341 --> 00:35:59,811 link in the show notes as well. 647 00:35:59,811 --> 00:36:04,661 I think it's very widely applicable to lots of different situations 648 00:36:04,661 --> 00:36:06,281 and circumstances as well. 649 00:36:06,621 --> 00:36:10,431 And I think they're so useful in helping people think about how stories are 650 00:36:10,431 --> 00:36:13,251 communicated, not just what stories. 651 00:36:13,251 --> 00:36:16,161 So when we are thinking about information in that way, how are we 652 00:36:16,161 --> 00:36:19,821 sharing the information, not just what information we are sharing? 653 00:36:19,821 --> 00:36:22,221 And it's always worth bearing that in mind. 654 00:36:22,821 --> 00:36:26,871 You mentioned there for that kind of task force that you work across 655 00:36:27,231 --> 00:36:31,941 countries and languages and cultures, and this must mean that you must have 656 00:36:31,941 --> 00:36:35,961 learned a huge amount about designing these kind of creative invitations 657 00:36:35,961 --> 00:36:38,731 that can work at scale at Europeana 658 00:36:43,936 --> 00:36:47,426 Dr Beth Daley: So yeah, our website exists in all the EU languages. 659 00:36:47,426 --> 00:36:51,806 We have our network, which has people from all over the world and it, and, 660 00:36:51,866 --> 00:36:56,016 um, yeah, so there is so much culture and so much languages and experience 661 00:36:56,016 --> 00:36:57,846 to be represented in the collection. 662 00:36:57,846 --> 00:37:01,616 So we do try to, to reflect that as well in our experiences. 663 00:37:01,956 --> 00:37:06,576 And with our creative sessions we do look for participants or centered approach. 664 00:37:06,576 --> 00:37:09,666 We also have people who are like zine workshops, for example. 665 00:37:09,916 --> 00:37:13,306 And we encourage people to sort of bring their own stories and values and 666 00:37:13,306 --> 00:37:18,111 cultures to the sessions so that they find something meaningful to their. 667 00:37:19,426 --> 00:37:23,326 But like also as I mentioned with the hidden stories element, there are 668 00:37:24,106 --> 00:37:28,306 marginalized voices and perspectives that are entirely missing from 669 00:37:28,306 --> 00:37:30,526 cultural heritage, um, collections. 670 00:37:30,526 --> 00:37:34,006 We do have a group within the Europeana Foundation that works 671 00:37:34,006 --> 00:37:36,166 on diversity and inclusion. 672 00:37:36,166 --> 00:37:39,686 We have we contribute to Women's History Month, black history 673 00:37:39,686 --> 00:37:41,391 month pride month with our. 674 00:37:42,531 --> 00:37:44,391 Activities and with our editorial as well. 675 00:37:44,391 --> 00:37:47,991 So we're always trying to look for ways to make sure that people feel that 676 00:37:47,991 --> 00:37:51,171 they're represented in cultural heritage. 677 00:37:51,231 --> 00:37:54,291 And as I mentioned earlier, the seven tips and the st story dice 678 00:37:54,321 --> 00:37:58,251 resources that are translated into, into many languages as well. 679 00:37:58,341 --> 00:38:03,801 So yeah we are conscious of the, the diversity of the audience and do try to 680 00:38:03,801 --> 00:38:08,651 make sure that everybody can access and is represented and feels welcome and is safe. 681 00:38:08,711 --> 00:38:12,581 We also it's quite interesting, have, um, inclusive engagement guidelines 682 00:38:12,581 --> 00:38:16,601 for all of the events that we run, which we share at the beginning of 683 00:38:16,601 --> 00:38:20,501 an event which I'm not sure so many organizations do yet, at least. 684 00:38:20,931 --> 00:38:24,831 Um, so that is a really nice example I think of making sure that people feel 685 00:38:24,831 --> 00:38:27,421 included and safe in our activities. 686 00:38:28,141 --> 00:38:28,801 Claire Bown: I love that. 687 00:38:28,901 --> 00:38:34,181 So if a listener is listening to this and they're thinking, oh, I'm really keen 688 00:38:34,181 --> 00:38:39,251 now to go and visit Europeana, what's one simple thing you'd encourage them to try? 689 00:38:39,251 --> 00:38:40,546 Or where would you like them to start? 690 00:38:42,536 --> 00:38:44,396 Dr Beth Daley: I think just dive in. 691 00:38:44,426 --> 00:38:46,706 I mean, like I said earlier, you can't break anything. 692 00:38:46,766 --> 00:38:47,426 It's a website. 693 00:38:47,426 --> 00:38:51,386 So go to Europeana.eu, type something in and see what happens. 694 00:38:51,926 --> 00:38:55,676 And yeah, I'll reiterate that I really like the today's popular 695 00:38:55,676 --> 00:38:58,676 items section, which you could find on the collections page. 696 00:38:59,126 --> 00:39:00,686 Or just go to the stories and dive in. 697 00:39:00,686 --> 00:39:02,276 You can follow us on social media. 698 00:39:02,276 --> 00:39:04,586 That's maybe a really easy way you don't have to think of 699 00:39:04,586 --> 00:39:05,426 what you want to search for. 700 00:39:05,606 --> 00:39:08,816 We'll share things that they're interesting and sort of timely 701 00:39:08,816 --> 00:39:10,736 or relevant, um, as well. 702 00:39:10,736 --> 00:39:16,241 So yeah, you can find us on places like Facebook and Blue Sky and LinkedIn and 703 00:39:16,311 --> 00:39:19,036 Instagram and say, yeah, follow us. 704 00:39:20,351 --> 00:39:20,711 Claire Bown: Brilliant. 705 00:39:20,771 --> 00:39:23,471 And what are you excited about for the coming year? 706 00:39:23,471 --> 00:39:24,341 What's coming up for you? 707 00:39:24,341 --> 00:39:26,501 You've mentioned the digital storytelling festival. 708 00:39:26,501 --> 00:39:28,211 Anything else that you are working on? 709 00:39:29,151 --> 00:39:31,971 Dr Beth Daley: I am looking forward to showcasing the winners of the 710 00:39:31,971 --> 00:39:35,416 Climate Action Award because that's our, I say our first creative 711 00:39:35,416 --> 00:39:37,366 writing contest of that kind. 712 00:39:37,396 --> 00:39:38,866 So I'm really excited about that. 713 00:39:39,206 --> 00:39:41,756 And also working on the online creative residency. 714 00:39:41,756 --> 00:39:46,491 We're working this year with review as well, which is a, a platform that does 715 00:39:47,041 --> 00:39:51,616 showcases ekphrastic writing, which is just writing inspired by artworks. 716 00:39:51,976 --> 00:39:55,996 So that's where the online residency writing outcomes will be published. 717 00:39:56,046 --> 00:39:57,006 So that's quite exciting. 718 00:39:57,096 --> 00:39:59,406 And of course, as you mentioned, the Digital Storytelling Festival 719 00:39:59,646 --> 00:40:01,566 on the 19th and 20th of May. 720 00:40:02,106 --> 00:40:02,646 Claire Bown: Brilliant. 721 00:40:02,646 --> 00:40:05,316 So, um, how can people find out more about you? 722 00:40:05,316 --> 00:40:06,456 Where are the best places to go? 723 00:40:06,456 --> 00:40:09,756 You already mentioned social media, we'll put all the links in the 724 00:40:09,756 --> 00:40:12,426 show notes, but is there anywhere else that people should go to? 725 00:40:13,211 --> 00:40:14,421 Dr Beth Daley: Yeah, I mentioned if you wanna follow Europeana, 726 00:40:15,281 --> 00:40:16,661 you can follow our social media. 727 00:40:16,661 --> 00:40:21,221 I would suggest that you also, uh, sign up for our events newsletter 728 00:40:21,221 --> 00:40:23,171 so you can join, uh, the events. 729 00:40:23,481 --> 00:40:27,596 And if you want to follow me specifically, you can find me on LinkedIn and substack. 730 00:40:28,761 --> 00:40:29,121 Claire Bown: Brilliant. 731 00:40:29,421 --> 00:40:33,251 Uh, thank you so much for joining me today to talk about amazing 732 00:40:33,251 --> 00:40:33,981 work that you do at Europeana. 733 00:40:34,781 --> 00:40:36,711 And yeah, thank you for having this chat. 734 00:40:37,341 --> 00:40:37,671 Dr Beth Daley: Thank you. 735 00:40:39,681 --> 00:40:42,261 Claire Bown: So a huge thank you to Beth for being on the show today. 736 00:40:42,441 --> 00:40:46,761 You can explore Europeana, find the story dice, the writer's room, and 737 00:40:46,761 --> 00:40:50,721 the seven digital storytelling tips via the links in the show notes. 738 00:40:50,721 --> 00:40:55,461 I'd really encourage you to click through and try something simple this week. 739 00:40:55,491 --> 00:40:58,911 Perhaps start with one image and a five minute free write. 740 00:40:59,811 --> 00:41:04,251 If you've enjoyed this episode or if any of the previous episodes of The Art 741 00:41:04,251 --> 00:41:09,291 Engager have supported your practice, please consider supporting the podcast. 742 00:41:09,621 --> 00:41:13,521 You can become a friend of the podcast on Patreon, or you can pick up a 743 00:41:13,521 --> 00:41:19,701 copy of my book, The Art Engager Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums 744 00:41:19,821 --> 00:41:22,221 Available wherever you buy your books. 745 00:41:22,881 --> 00:41:24,021 That's it for today. 746 00:41:24,171 --> 00:41:25,341 I'll see you next time. 747 00:41:25,671 --> 00:41:26,151 Bye. 748 00:41:30,626 --> 00:41:34,216 Thank you for listening to The Art Engager podcast with me, Claire Bown. 749 00:41:35,996 --> 00:41:39,926 You can find more art engagement resources by visiting my website, 750 00:41:40,166 --> 00:41:44,846 thinking museum.com, and you can also find me on Instagram at Thinking 751 00:41:44,846 --> 00:41:49,166 Museum, where I regularly share tips and tools on how to bring art 752 00:41:49,166 --> 00:41:51,806 to life and engage your audience. 753 00:41:53,006 --> 00:41:55,581 If you've enjoyed this episode, please share with others. 754 00:41:56,286 --> 00:42:00,006 And subscribe to the show on your podcast of choice. 755 00:42:00,966 --> 00:42:04,206 Thank you so much for listening, and I see you next time.