Successful start to citizen participation in the City Museum

Despite the summer weather, the two-hour event in the hall of the Stadtsparkasse Bocholt was very well attended. "Despite the necessary closure of the City Museum last year, today we are looking forward with motivation", said Mayor Thomas Kerkhoff. He welcomed those present in the hall of the Stadtsparkasse. With the public participation, "an important milestone has been set in motion in the context of the new conception", said Kerkhoff.

The chairman of the Verein für Heimatpflege e.V., former district administrator Gerd Wiesmann, also agreed with this impression: "On behalf of the sponsorship of the City Museum, we very much welcome the direct involvement of the citizens in the process of defining the guidelines. We are already very excited about the incoming impressions, wishes and ideas."

Following the greetings, there was an impulse lecture by Prof. Dr. Fabian Hofmann from the Fliedner University of Applied Sciences. He gave insights into the opportunities and possibilities of museums when they see themselves as a space for learning and experience or as a forum.

Afterwards, museum director Lisa Resing explained to the participants the framework conditions for public participation, which is scheduled until 20 August. "It is important to us to address a broad range of citizens," said Resing. That's why participation is offered both online and via survey questionnaires.

These will be on display in various public places over the next few days, but will also be available to take away at the entrance door of the current museum building. Here you will also find the corresponding "wish box" for dropping off the completed surveys.

Following the participation period, all surveys will be evaluated by the museum's board of trustees and incorporated into the museum's mission statement. The results and the mission statement will be presented at a second event in autumn this year.

"We very much hope that many people will take advantage of the current opportunity to help shape it. The mission statement not only accompanies the new conceptualisation process that is now underway, but also sets important impulses for the museum orientation and work of the future city museum," Resing explains at the end of her presentation.