Curating for Compassionate Values – Common Cause Foundation

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In a year-long collaboration with Manchester Museum and Happy Museum we have brought to life the opportunity for arts and cultural organisations to engage ‘compassionate' values in their community and help evoke positive social and environmental action.

Our research showed us that when Museum visitors were engaged on ‘compassionate’ values they were more likely to state:

that they wanted to make a difference in their community and get involved with local environmental action (e.g. tree-planting or greening public spaces),
an intention to engage in their city's transport plans (e.g. by signing a petition or joining a public meeting about airport expansion),
that their visit to the Museum contributed positively to their own well-being.

In a year-long collaboration with Manchester Museum and Happy Museum we have brought to life the opportunity for arts and cultural organisations to engage ‘compassionate' values in their community and help evoke positive social and environmental action.

Our research showed us that when Museum visitors were engaged on ‘compassionate’ values they were more likely to state:

that they wanted to make a difference in their community and get involved with local environmental action (e.g. tree-planting or greening public spaces),
an intention to engage in their city's transport plans (e.g. by signing a petition or joining a public meeting about airport expansion),
that their visit to the Museum contributed positively to their own well-being.

In a year-long collaboration with Manchester Museum and Happy Museum we have brought to life the opportunity for arts and cultural organisations to engage ‘compassionate' values in their community and help evoke positive social and environmental action.

Our research showed us that when Museum visitors were engaged on ‘compassionate’ values they were more likely to state:

that they wanted to make a difference in their community and get involved with local environmental action (e.g. tree-planting or greening public spaces),
an intention to engage in their city's transport plans (e.g. by signing a petition or joining a public meeting about airport expansion),
that their visit to the Museum contributed positively to their own well-being.

In a year-long collaboration with Manchester Museum and Happy Museum we have brought to life the opportunity for arts and cultural organisations to engage ‘compassionate' values in their community and help evoke positive social and environmental action.

Our research showed us that when Museum visitors were engaged on ‘compassionate’ values they were more likely to state:

that they wanted to make a difference in their community and get involved with local environmental action (e.g. tree-planting or greening public spaces),
an intention to engage in their city's transport plans (e.g. by signing a petition or joining a public meeting about airport expansion),
that their visit to the Museum contributed positively to their own well-being.

In a year-long collaboration with Manchester Museum and Happy Museum we have brought to life the opportunity for arts and cultural organisations to engage ‘compassionate' values in their community and help evoke positive social and environmental action.

Our research showed us that when Museum visitors were engaged on ‘compassionate’ values they were more likely to state:

that they wanted to make a difference in their community and get involved with local environmental action (e.g. tree-planting or greening public spaces),
an intention to engage in their city's transport plans (e.g. by signing a petition or joining a public meeting about airport expansion),
that their visit to the Museum contributed positively to their own well-being.

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Posters encouraging visitors to ask volunteers about their motivation to give their time freely were designed and placed around the museum (on the left) and "Share the love" poster (on the right)

Inspired by these insights, and the opportunity presented by the huge reach of the arts and cultural sector, Common Cause Foundation is working to amplify such outcomes - which benefit people, places and planet. By developing a range of initiatives at Manchester Museum, including public events and exhibitions, engaging volunteers, and inviting donations, we have achieved an evolution of culture which supports ambitions for learning, tolerance, broadmindedness and the protection of the natural world. Our work championed ‘compassionate’ values and provided opportunities for visitors to hear and see what matters most to fellow citizens - their common caring.

‘Handling tables’ were renamed ‘Wonder stops’

We invited donations with images and language which related to sharing experiences of wonder, curiosity, and quality time (incidentally this gained a 40% increase in donations).

We built confidence in learning and engagement staff, and curators, to design for visitors so that exhibits and experiences connect with our human compassion.

We highlighted the altruistic motivation of volunteers, with this reflected in changes to volunteer inductions they are now sharing their passions more openly with visitors.

'Share the Love: Add to our wall of stories by sharing a time you’ve spotted a good deed in action – or draw us a picture'

The opportunity for organisations to work in ways where they understand the values their work promotes, the contribution this makes to shaping peoples perception of one another, and encourage positive actions towards other people and nature is immense. This collaboration in Manchester has helped establish enthusiasm for a values approach in other organisations and cities – we look forward to seeing this evolve into action for more inclusive, just and sustainable societies.

Learn more about the impact of this work and how to apply it in purpose-led organisations with our Discover and Share Guide and insights from the Manchester Survey.

More information

Discover And Share Promoting Positive Values Arts Cultural

A new guide for arts and cultural organizations encouraging and enabling action in promoting positive values and creating community.

Common Cause Foundation | 6 December 2017download size 5.5 MBresources pdf thumbnails

Common Cause Foundation is a not-for-profit Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Registration number 09413020. Registered office: c/o Cohen Corkery, Chartered Certified Accountants, 30 Chertsey Road, Woking, Surrey, GU21 5AJ

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