A pioneering North Yorkshire learning initiative has received national recognition after winning a prestigious award for its innovative approach to engaging audiences with heritage, particularly in rural areas.
Out of the Box Learning, a digital platform bringing museum collections into classrooms and communities, received the Partnership of the Year Award in the Museums and Heritage Awards.
Supported by North Yorkshire Council’s culture and archives team, with significant funding from a project grant from Arts Council England, the initiative connects schools, families and communities with objects from museums and heritage sites, encouraging curiosity and critical thinking through interactive, learning.
The project, developed in partnership with 20 museums and heritage organisations across the county, was praised for making collections more accessible, taking a genuinely collaborative approach, and delivering real impact.
The Museums and Heritage Awards celebrate excellence across the sector, recognising projects that demonstrate creativity, inclusivity and outstanding public engagement.
The success of Out of the Box Learning reinforces North Yorkshire’s growing reputation for innovation in cultural and heritage services, with plans already in place to further expand the platform and its reach.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for arts and culture, Cllr Simon Myers, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved in Out of the Box Learning and a proud moment for North Yorkshire.
“The project demonstrates how we can use creativity and digital innovation to open up our rich cultural heritage to wider audiences, particularly those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to engage with it.
“By bringing museum collections directly into homes, schools and communities, Out of the Box Learning is helping to inspire curiosity, support education and ensure our heritage remains relevant for future generations.”
The platform allows users to explore a wide range of objects – from archaeological finds to artworks – supported by activities, questions and resources designed to spark discussion and deeper learning. It was developed by education consultant Rosie Barrett, in partnership with North Yorkshire Council and 20 heritage sites and museums across the county.
Mrs Barrett said: “It’s been an incredible privilege to develop this website, sharing our inspiring collections and consulting with members of the community to ensure that we created something for everyone.
“I am delighted that the website has been recognised through the Partnership of the Year award, a testament to the collective power of our museum services across the county – and the importance of our North Yorkshire heritage.”
The initiative has been particularly valuable in reaching rural communities, where access to museums can be more limited, and has supported teachers and families with high-quality, accessible learning materials.
Cllr Myers added: “Projects like this are vital in ensuring that culture and heritage are not limited by geography.
“We are committed to supporting innovative approaches that connect people with their local history, and this award highlights the impact that partnership working can achieve.”
The director of the Museums and Heritage Awards, Anna Preedy, said: “This year we received a record number of entries to the Awards, which has been fantastic to see. I was particularly struck by how significant the community engagement category has become.
“Museums and cultural organisations increasingly act as welcoming spaces at the heart of their locality, and it has been inspiring to see how many projects have been developed in genuine collaboration with those communities.
“Importantly, they have placed community voices front and centre and have opened up dialogue and space for stories to be shared in ways that are imaginative, inclusive and far less prescriptive.”
The website can be accessed at www.outoftheboxlearning.org
