Cultural partnerships

Cultural partnerships
Content partnerships — Digital image restorations — Joint events

An entertainment in Vauxhall Gardens in c.1779 by Thomas Rowlandson. Digitally restored by Wikimedia volunteers.

Cultural partnerships are co-operations between the Wikimedia movement and cultural institutions, such as galleries, libraries, archives and museums, known collectively as GLAMs. There are a wide range of possible projects - from content donations to edit-a-thon events (where Wikipedians and experts work together to improve the projects' coverage of a certain topic), and more.

Why work with Wikimedia?

• Present your collections to new audiences
• Increase worldwide engagement with the cultural heritage held by your institution
• Work with a global community of volunteers to share your content online, on the Wikimedia projects

Who is working with us?

Current cultural institutions we are working with include:

• The British Library
• The British Museum
• Derby Museum and Art Gallery
• The National Maritime Museum
• The National Archives
• Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry
• Natural History Museum and Science Museum
• Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums

Wikimedia UK's work with the GLAM sector complements its work with learned societies.

If you represent a cultural institution, and are interested in working with Wikimedia UK, please contact our office on +44 (0)20 7065 0990 or glamwikimedia.org.uk.

Wikimedians in Residence

Wikimedians in Residence from around the world at GLAMcamp London in 2012

A Wikimedian in Residence a Wikipedia editor who works in an institution to facilitate a close working relationship between the Wikimedia movement and that institution through a range of activities, including:

• help other Wikimedians to expand and write articles about the institutions's collections or area of expertise
• working with curators and archivists to explain the Wikimedia movement's practices and help them to contribute.

Current Wikimedians in Residence

• The British Library cooperation in 2012-13 has centred on the Wikimedian in Residence project. You can find out more about it here.
• Natural History Museum and Science Museum - Appointment announcement on our blog.
• Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums - On our blog.
• National Library of Scotland - On our blog
• Black Cultural Archives, in cooperation with Equiano Centre

There are plans for further residencies; if you have any queries please contact the office on 0207 065 0990, or glamwikimedia.org.uk

Further reading

• An example of the agreement signed by WMUK and GLAMs when arranging a Wikimedia in Residence post
• A suggested job description for a Wikipedian in Residence