#HastingsDigitalMusuem ends ready for Hastings Museum & Art Gallery reopening

Hastings Museum & Art Gallery's popular #HastingsDigitalMuseum, which provided 24 weeks of engaging content, will come to an end as the museum opens its doors to visitors again.

#HastingsDigitalMuseum, originally planned for 12 weeks, has worked over the past few months to provide a space to reduce social isolation and loneliness because of the pandemic by creating opportunities for people to engage in cultural activities on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The digital programme included a range of activities for all ages, including ones created by the museum team to co-designed content with creative freelancers. Funded from the museum's core budget and supported by funding from a local charity the Chalk Cliff Trust, reaching over 1.45 million devices.

The museum will continue to share digital content over the coming months, but this will be scaled back to enable them to focus on the reopening of the museum.

Cllr Kim Forward, leader of Hastings Borough Council, said,  

"It's been amazing to see the positive feedback received for #HastingsDigitalMuseum. The museum team have produced a great programme in difficult circumstances that has inspired and provided activities for all the family, including the popular Digital Quilt, which is now available to buy on Art UK. A LGBTQ+ Zine activity which through teacher and museum networks has been accessed by around 1.7 million people across the country and showcased by the British Museum, this is a wonderful achievement for our seaside museum."

Hastings Museum & Art Gallery reopens today (27 August). To manage the number of people in the museum, all visitors will need to book a free, timed ticket in advance. Tickets are available online up to 14 days in advance through www.hmag.org.uk. If visitors do not have access to the internet, they can book by phone their tickets on 01424 451052.