Coveting Africa: The European Desire; people, land, wealth

Thanks to National Lottery funding, Bishop's Stortford Museum and Rhodes Arts Complex can explore British attitudes to the African peoples and encourage new audiences by running a year long innovative and thought provoking programme of arts events. The exhibition will discuss the relationship between Britain and Africa and the museum's collection centres on material from Southern Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana, areas where British colonialism/imperialism in Africa was focused in the 19th century.

This project received a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which awards money raised by National Lottery players to projects that preserve intangible history - such as memories, languages and customs.

Lottery funding has helped people to connect with their local communities and celebrate what is important to them. From oral history projects, which record the past through the words and experiences of ordinary people, to projects that help people learn about local traditions and crafts and the skills needed to preserve them, these grants help people to find out about the past and its relevance for their lives today.

Many of these projects have brought people from different backgrounds together to learn about each other's heritage, creating a shared sense of local pride. Others have enabled people and communities to explore the importance of art forms like dance, music and film to different cultures through workshops and events, allowing people to learn about heritage in fun and creative ways.

For more information about funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund visit www.hlf.org.uk

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch