Category Archives: Social Capital

A few reflections on social and tech innovation #museumnext 2013

Posted on May 16, 2013 by tonybutler1

I expect most people who got to conferences find some excuse to bunk off, check out the town, or go shopping. But I’ve just returned from Museum Next in Amsterdam. It’s the largest gathering of museum folk interested in technology … Continue reading →

Posted in Happy Museum Project, museums, Social Capital, Technology | 1 Comment

To embed participation, museums could learn from mental health

Posted on June 15, 2011 by tonybutler1

The recent publication of Bernadette Lynch’s research into participation and engagement in museums throws down the gauntlet to both museums and their funders. Published by Paul Hamlyn Foundation Whose Cake is it Anyway concludes that: Despite presenting numerous examples of … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Capital, well-being and happiness | 1 Comment

The Countryside must be able to share in the White Heat of Culture

Posted on February 4, 2011 by tonybutler1

There have been quite a few blogs summarising the Culture Change conference at the National Theatre last week, two of the best are  Claire Antrobus and Mark Robinson. The event explored what cultural organisations would need to do to remain healthy, wise … Continue reading →

Posted in economy, landscape, Social Capital | 1 Comment

Searching for a Happiness Associate

Posted on December 1, 2010 by tonybutler1

Over the last few years I’ve been exploring how museums can both stimulate social relationships and ultimately make people happier.  MEAL’s Social Enterprise has both improved people’s skills and capabilities but also created new social networks for which the museum … Continue reading →

Posted in museums, Social Capital, well-being and happiness | 1 Comment

For a Big Society we need small worlds

Posted on July 7, 2010 by tonybutler1

I’ve been a long time admirer of Sue Clifford and the work of Common Ground. I’m very pleased she is to speak at this week’s Museums Sustainability and Growth conference in Norwich which MEAL has helped organise. Since the late … Continue reading →

Posted in economy, landscape, Social Capital, Trust | 1 Comment

Can cultural assets inspire the ‘Great Imagining’ of Transition?

Posted on April 27, 2010 by tonybutler1

On Tuesday last, I spoke at the latest of Mission Money Model seminars, Thriving on Less, at the A Foundation at Rochelle School in Shoreditch. The event challenged people working in culture to respond to a future of low or no … Continue reading →

Posted in economy, Social Capital, sustainability | Leave a comment

Trust, an Anglo-Scandinavian view

Posted on April 7, 2010 by tonybutler1

The other week I was invited by the Norwegian Archives, Libraries and Museums Authority to speak at a conference examining how museums can contribute to inclusion and the building of social capital. Entitled Jo fleire kokkar, jo betre sol it … Continue reading →

Posted in museums, Social Capital, Trust, well-being and happiness | 1 Comment