audience development Archives - The Heritage Management Organization

From Memory to Momentum: AHEAD Study Visit in Crete

From May 21st to 23rd, 2025, HERITΛGE and the Archaeological Museum of Mesara welcomed partners from across Europe for the second international AHEAD project Study Visit, a key milestone in the project’s mission to foster innovative, audience-centred cultural experiences. Hosted by HERITΛGE and the Museum (the project’s Greek Hub), this three-day gathering proved a dynamic space for reflection, testing, and exchange of ideas across borders and communities.

The AHEAD team along with local heritage professionals and Elektra Angelopoulou – the artist selected to co-create work for the Greek hub- worked to validate and give feedback on the prototypes developed through the AHEAD methodology — a process designed to help cultural institutions understand their audiences, co-create with them, and embed those practices into their operations.

Two Prototypes, Two Publics

The Greek Hub focused on two distinct but equally vital local audiences: children and adults, engaging each group in a meaningful journey through AHEAD’s empathise–define–ideate–prototype–test framework.

Woman in front of wall covered with post it notes and photos.

HERITΛGE’s Xanthippi Kontogianni

Prototype I: Children’s Voices in the Museum

HERITΛGE and the Museum partnered with two local primary schools to involve young learners in the creative process. With the participation of artist/performer Elektra Angelopoulou, and through structured activities aligned with the AHEAD methodology, the children explored the museum’s collection and selected their favourite objects.From these choices, the children developed their own narratives — imaginative stories, reflections, and personal interpretations inspired by the artefacts.

In centering children’s voices, the museum embraces storytelling not just as education, but as connection — bridging past and present through creativity, wonder, and the eyes of a new generation.

Prototype II: Community, Connection, and Co-governance

In parallel, HERITΛGE invited local adults to participate in a series of reflective workshops, beginning with the sharing of memories, lived experiences, and deep-rooted connections to the Messara landscape — a place where archaeology, history, and daily life are inextricably linked.

These sessions revealed a strong sense of local pride, but also a disconnect: many felt the museum, though geographically close, was distant in spirit — shaped by state institutions without enough input from those who live nearby. In response, the prototype developed with this audience is the creation of a “Friends of the Museum of Mesara” Association.

This initiative aims to:
– Strengthen community engagement with the museum
– Amplify local voices in decision-making processes
– Support the museum’s role in driving tourism and sustainable local growth
– Provide a formal channel for co-creating future experiences and exhibitions

From Testing to Transformation

Both prototypes were presented to AHEAD consortium members during the Study Visit. Feedback sessions, held at the Archaeological Museum and visits to the area and its archaeological sites Gortyna and Phaistos, allowed partners to gain and exchange insights, and consider how these approaches might be adapted across other contexts.

The feedback underscored the importance of:

Deep listening and long-term community involvement
Rethinking traditional exchanges between museums and local communities
Fostering sustainable links between heritage, education, and local development
Working with the AHEAD methodology and returning to it as often as necessary throughout the lifetime of a project.

The prototypes — still in development — will be officially launched in September 2025, during a dedicated event that will also feature a site-specific performance by Elektra Angelopoulou, created in collaboration with the Mesara community.

Looking Ahead

This second Study Visit demonstrated the power of co-creation, memory, and local agency in shaping meaningful cultural heritage experiences. By validating the Greek Hub’s work and drawing lessons from the field, partners left Messara not only inspired, but equipped with ideas they could bring back to their own communities.

Next up for AHEAD: Study Visit 3 in Altamira, Spain — where a new chapter of audience-centred innovation is already unfolding.

AHEAD is co-funded by the European Union. To learn more about the AHEAD methodology or how to join the AHEAD network visit the project website and explore the learning resources, manifesto, and upcoming events.

AHEAD in Crete: Community Stories, Creative Sparks, and New Visions for Heritage Engagement

In February 2025, Crete became a vibrant hub for cultural dialogue and creative collaboration through two dynamic AHEAD project activities: the AHEAD Talk at the Archaeological Museum of Mesara and the third AHEAD Lab, held as part of our ongoing mission to foster accessible and participatory heritage experiences.

HERITΛGE is proud to be an active member of AHEAD (Accessible Heritage Experience for Audience Development), a project funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe initiative to give heritage managers the skills and knowledge to held their institutions generate economic sustainability and local growth while widening access and participation to new audiences and local communities.

AHEAD Talk: Memory, Meaning, and Messara’s Cultural Wealth

On February 14th, the Archaeological Museum of Mesara that serves as the project’s Greek Hub opened its doors to a diverse group of heritage professionals, educators, community members, and local stakeholders for the AHEAD Talk. Hosted by HERITΛGE and supported by the AHEAD consortium, the event focused on cultural heritage engagement and audience development, with a spotlight on the unique cultural landscape of Mesara.

Speakers included Aris Anagnostopoulos and Roula Gkika from HERITΛGE, artist Elektra Angelopoulou (who has been selected to co-create a piece of work for the Greek hub in collaboration with local communities, Antonis Papadakis from the Archaeological Museum of Mesara, and local educator Nikos Andreadakis. Speakershared inspiring insights on:

The aims and impact of the AHEAD initiative
Strategies for community-driven heritage projects
Art as a connector between archaeological sites and the public
Public archaeology and the use of comics for storytelling
Transforming museums into interactive, child-friendly spaces

Beyond the formal presentations, the event came alive through the audience’s contributions—personal stories and heartfelt memories of Mesara’s rich heritage that resonated deeply with all present. The talk fostered meaningful exchange, laying the groundwork for future collaboration between institutions and communities across Crete.

AHEAD Lab 3: Ideate! A Creative Leap in Audience Engagement

In parallel, Mesara also hosted the third AHEAD Lab, titled Ideate! that focused on reimagining how audiences interact with cultural heritage. Building on the themes raised during the Talk, the Lab brought together artists, archaeologists, educators, and local residents for a series of hands-on workshops and co-creation sessions.

Participants explored new methods of engaging audiences—especially young people—through artistic interpretation, participatory storytelling, and site-specific installations. The lab not only generated creative outputs but also deepened local involvement, highlighting the power of collaborative design in shaping inclusive cultural experiences.

Together, the AHEAD Talk and Lab in Crete demonstrated the transformative potential of dialogue, memory, and creativity in heritage work. By listening to communities and co-creating new forms of engagement, AHEAD continues to push the boundaries of how we connect with the past—and with each other.

Find out more about AHEAD on the project’s website.

Two AHEAD labs take place in Crete

HERITΛGE in co-operation with the Archaeological Museum of Mesara in Greece held the first two labs EMPATHISE & DEFINE of the AHEAD program for the Greek hub on December 20-21, 2024. AHEAD (Accessible Heritage Experience for Audience Development) is an EU-funded program that aims to give cultural heritage professionals the tools to develop audiences using innovative approaches.

The labs marked a significant milestone in capacity building and following a series of intensive seminars. They provided a safe and collaborative space for heritage professionals, artists, and audiences to co-create innovative strategies for audience engagement and development.

Aris Anagnostopoulos, HERITΛGE head of Community Engagement, shared his expertise on audience engagement, guiding participants through the process of conducting empathetic interviews with local communities and students. His insights set the stage for meaningful interactions and the development of actionable steps to connect with target audiences effectively.

The enthusiastic participation of the museum staff made this initiative truly rewarding from day one.

Lab 1, focused on “Empathize,” featured two key phases:

Step into My Shoes – Museum Perspective, which explored the museum’s understanding of its audience.
Step into My Shoes – Audience Perspective, which shifted the focus to how audiences perceive the museum.

Lab 2 “Define” focused on conducting empathetic interviews and defining the specific needs of the targeted audiences. This workshop encouraged participants to engage directly with primary school students and the local community (including parents) to gain deeper insights into their perspectives, expectations, and experiences. Through active listening and thoughtful dialogue, the lab laid the groundwork for identifying key audience needs and developing meaningful, audience-centered approaches for cultural engagement.

With primary school students and the local community (including parents) as the target groups, these labs fostered open dialogue and mutual understanding.

Through these workshops and the broader AHEAD program,HERITΛGE and its AHEAD partners strive to build and sustain meaningful relationships between archaeological sites and their audiences, fostering connections rooted in empathy and shared experiences.

These labs are just the beginning of a six-lab series designed to transform how cultural heritage professionals engage with their communities. Stay tuned for more exciting developments in the months ahead!

Elektra Angelopoulou is the artist selected for AHEAD’s Greek hub

ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ

Elektra Angelopoulou /Photo by Thalia Galanopoulou

HERITΛGE in collaboration with the Archaeological Museum of Messara is very pleased to announce that artist Elektra Angelopoulou has been selected as the artist to create a participatory work of art as part of the AHEAD (Accessible Heritage Experience for Audience Development) project.

AHEAD is co-funded by the EU’s Creative Europe program and aims to transform how the public interacts with cultural heritage by providing heritage managers with the tools to create new participatory and inclusive experiences. The project brings together three cultural heritage sites in Greece, Italy and Spain, where selected artists will collaborate with local communities to create experiential works of art.

Elektra Angelopoulou has a rich background in archaeology and the performing arts and was chosen among dozens of artists, originating from or residing in Crete, to work with the project’s Greek hub to create an innovative and participatory art project at the Archaeological Museum of Messara. Through this work, Electra will explore new ways of experiencing and connecting with cultural heritage.

The artist will collaborate with two key target groups: primary school students and the local community. Through a series of co-creation workshops, structured using the ACED (Audience-Centered Experience Design) methodology, she will develop a participatory work of art that strengthens the public’s connection to the museum and its heritage.

The goal is to create an open and participatory experience, which will highlight the archaeological site as a living, creative space where history meets the present.

“My intention, every time I come into contact with an archaeological site, is to show what some of us ‘see’ in our imagination when we look at stones, vases, soil, sculptures – that is, an entire world – to those who have not been able to see it that way until now,” the artist says. “Museums and archaeological sites are changing, turning towards local communities and taking steps to become an integral, living part of them. In this context, my goal is to connect people with the object.”

AHEAD team meets in Bilbao

HERITΛGE joined our partners in the AHEAD (Accessible Heritage Experience for Audience Development) consortium for an interim project meeting in Bilbao this October, hosted by the University of Deusto.

AHEAD is a project co-funded by the EU’s Creative Europe program, aimed at providing cultural heritage professionals with innovative tools and practices to develop new audiences.

Over three days of sessions packed with ideas, plans, and exchanges, the AHEAD team reviewed the progress already achieved. This includes the delivery of nine seminars and the launch of a series of videos and seminar materials, all freely available to cultural heritage professionals on the project website.

The partners also discussed the next steps for the project, including the launch of calls for artists in Greece, Italy, and Spain, and the organization of AHEAD Labs, which will begin in November. These labs will be held in Ostia Antica, Altamira, and Crete, bringing together artists, local communities, and staff from the archaeological parks. Participants will co-design creative practices to enhance how heritage is experienced in their regions.

To find out more about AHEAD, the opportunities it offers, or to join the AHEAD Network, visit the AHEAD website.

AHEAD: Πρόσκληση σε καλλιτέχνες

Η Πρωτοβουλία για την Ανάδειξη της Πολιτιστικής Κληρονομιάς (HERITΛGE) σε συνεργασία με το Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Μεσαράς, προσκαλεί καλλιτέχνες να καταθέσουν τις προτάσεις τους για την δημιουργία έργου στο πλαίσιο του ευρωπαϊκού έργου AHEAD (Accessible Heritage Experience for Audience Development) το οποίο συγχρηματοδοτείται από το πρόγραμμα Δημιουργική Ευρώπη της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης.

Στόχος της προκήρυξης είναι η επιλογή ενός καλλιτέχνη, με τόπο κατοικίας ή καταγωγή από την ευρύτερη περιοχή της Κρήτης, καλλιτέχνη που θα συμμετάσχει σε εργαστήρια συν-δημιουργίας / συν-σχεδιασμού για την ανάπτυξη ενός έργου σε συνεργασία με το κοινό που έχει επιλεγεί για το Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Μεσαράς υπό τον συντονισμό του οργανισμό HERITΛGE).

Το έργο AHEAD αποσκοπεί στη δημιουργία νέων βιωματικών εμπειριών που επιτρέπουν στο κοινό να συνδεθεί με την πολιτιστική κληρονομιά συμμετοχικά και χωρίς αποκλεισμούς. Μέσω αυτής της πρόσκλησης, ο καλλιτέχνης που θα επιλεγεί θα συνεργαστεί με το Μουσείο και την τοπική κοινότητα για να αναπτύξει νέους τρόπους βίωσης του αρχαιολογικού χώρου. Ανάλογες προσκλήσεις έχουν δημοσιευθεί στο πλαίσιο του έργου στην Ιταλία και την Ισπανία.

Συμμετοχική Δημιουργία

Η πρόσκληση αποσκοπεί στην επιλογή ενός καλλιτέχνη που θα λάβει μέρος σε εργαστήρια δομημενα με τη μεθοδολογία ACED (Audience Centered Experience Design) θα πραγματοποιηθούν κατά το χρονικό διάστημα από τον Δεκέμβριο 2024 έως τον Μάρτιο του 2025. Ο καλλιτέχνης θα συνεργαστεί με δύο κοινότητες-στόχους, μαθητές δημοτικού και τοπική κοινωνία, για να σχεδιάσουν από κοινού νέες εμπειρίες που θα ζωντανέψουν το Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Μεσαράς.

Αυτή η συνεργασία στοχεύει να μετασχηματίσει τον τρόπο με τον οποίο το κοινό αλληλεπιδρά με τον αρχαιολογικό χώρο, κάνοντάς τον ένα δημιουργικό χώρο συνάντησης του παρελθόντος με το παρόν. Ο καλλιτέχνης θα πειραματιστεί με νέες μορφές έκφρασης που θα ανταποκρίνονται στις ανάγκες διαφορετικών ομάδων κοινού.

Ποιοι Μπορούν να Συμμετάσχουν

Η πρόσκληση απευθύνεται σε επαγγελματίες καλλιτέχνες που ασχολούνται με συμμετοχικές και σχεσιακές πρακτικές, και έχουν εμπειρία σε έργα που εμπλέκουν κοινότητες στη συν-δημιουργία. Ο ιδανικός υποψήφιος θα πρέπει να μπορεί να συνδυάσει την καλλιτεχνική του γλώσσα με τις αξίες της αρχαιολογικής κληρονομιάς και να αναπτύξει μορφές έκφρασης που βασίζονται στη συλλογική εμπειρία.

Υποβολή Αιτήσεων

Οι ενδιαφερόμενοι καλλιτέχνες μπορούν να βρουν περισσότερες λεπτομέρειες στην επίσημη προκήρυξη και να υποβάλουν τις αιτήσεις τους έως τις 15 Νοεμβρίου 2024, ακολουθώντας τις οδηγίες μέσω email ή εναλλακτικά συμπληρώνοντας την παρακάτω φόρμα συμμετοχής .Τα AHEAD Labs προσφέρουν μια μοναδική ευκαιρία για τους καλλιτέχνες να συμβάλουν στη δημιουργική ανανέωση του Αρχαιολογικού Μουσείου Μεσαράς, συνδυάζοντας σύγχρονη τέχνη με την πολιτιστική κληρονομιά της Κρήτης.

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