Following a major flood at the museum in July last year, we have been working hard, with the support of our volunteers and the Borough Council to bring the museum back to its former glory, welcoming visitors back again this March.

The flood has really made us think even more about how we can 'future proof' our museum and prepare for its eventual relocation and development over the next 10 years. We need to start planning for this now and its important that we find out what our visitors, volunteers, supporters, partners and funders think about what they want from their museum.

We undertook a series of workshops in March and came up with 4 key questions:

-What does Stevenage Museum do well?
-What can Stevenage Museum do better?
-What do we want for Stevenage Museum in the short term?
-What do we want for Stevenage Museum in the long term?

We have added the answers below and would like to you to tell us what you think by agreeing or disagreeing with them.  Please be as honest and open as possible. 

This will help us shape our future, and give you the chance to be a part of it.

Thank you for your help! 

We would like to keep you involved in the museum, if you aren't already on our mailing list, please feel free to leave your details at the end of this form.

Question Title

* 1. What does Stevenage Museum do well?

  Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree
Informative displays that tell the story of Stevenage's past, fitted into a limited space
The museum records what is happening in the town
A variety of temporary/special/themed exhibitions
A good enquiry service for local and family history enquiries
A good, diverse range of activities for different ages and interests at a reasonable cost
Younger visitors can play and learn all at the same time
A committed team of staff and volunteers, bringing with them a diverse range of skills and interests.
Staff and volunteers are welcoming and approachable
The museum has a good reputation for delivering learning sessions with local schools
Home schoolers enjoy utilising the museum service on a regular basis
Free admission
Support from Stevenage Borough Council
The museum has strong partnerships with community groups
The museum is successful in getting small scale grants for project work
The museum continues to maintain a positive image of the town
The museum is well publicised in print and on social media

Question Title

* 2. What could Stevenage Museum do better?

  Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree
Longer opening hours
Better signposting in town
More suitable (and more) space to store our objects
Car parking for visitors
A better, more accessible and engaging website (be part of the Borough Council's redesign)
Be more active on social media, e.g, twitter, instagram and facebook, to engage with our audiences in different ways
Show more of our collections online
List what the museum has (for example maps of the local area) on our website
Use more up to date technology in the current displays
Provide an online bookings service for events
Provide a local 'resource room' where visitors can find out more about local and family history
Take temporary exhibitions and events out into the local community
Have a changing display case to highlight objects that have been donated to the museum recently
Provide more temporary exhibitions in the museum
Update photograph collection on the touch screen in the museum
Engage more with potential partners, eg local businesses and academic institutions
Investigate income generation options to help raise funds for the museum's redevelopment
Organise a Friends of Stevenage Museum group to help support the museum into the future
Organise a 'Young Friends' of Stevenage Museum to appeal to young people
Investigate utilising empty shop spaces in town to showcase copies of old photographs from the museum's collections

Question Title

* 3. How can we improve the museum in the SHORT term?  We have added a few examples, please rate and add any ideas of your own

  Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree
Better flood defences
Create a 'good news' story out of last year's flooding
Celebrate the 70th birthday of the town with a major exhibition and series of celebration activities.  The museum's unique selling point is its New Town profile and collections
Revamp our leaflet
Improve our website
Be more proactive on social media
Regular publicity in the local newspaper and radio
Family friendly activity programme
More focused exhibition programme
Attract new audiences
Ask local retailers for advice on how we can increase spend in the shop and cafe
Rationalise our collections
Take advantage of national events such as Museums at Night, The Big Draw etc
Trial a 'pop-up' tearoom (utilising the space outside) once a month in the summer
Raise the museum profile by creating pop-up museum displays in community centres

Question Title

* 4. What do we want for the museum in the LONG TERM?

  Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree
Focus on New Town history more - this is one of our key areas
Celebrate the 75th anniversary of the New Town
Investigate relocating the museum: either by using existing empty space in the town, or as part of a major regeneration plan
Create new partnerships with local businesses, cultural and art organisations
Make collections available online
Work more closely with the council (eg communications)

Question Title

* 5. Do you have any other comments, questions, or concerns?

Question Title

* 6. Please feel free to leave your details if you would like to be kept up to date with the museum's future plans.  We will not use your details for anything else.

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