The Centre of New Enlightenment: become the hero of tomorrow

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has a special place in many people’s hearts. It has a deep, personal significance for generations of people in Scotland, linked to every stage of their lives. The museum is the largest civic museum and art gallery in the UK, with collections of great international importance. Since the museum wanted to increase it value for the local community, NorthernLight was asked to develop a strategy based on the insights from the Glasgow University scientists. Therefore, we developed the Centre of New Enlightenment; one of UK’s most exciting experiences for young people  between 10 and 14 years old together with their families. It is where they can discover how to become the heroes of tomorrow. The Centre of New Enlightenment is not an exhibition, it is an experience; an adventure and an educational journey.

Especially young local children between 10 and 14 years old and their families perceived the museum as ‘high brow’: the museum was a place that had nothing to offer them. Therefore, we developed an immersive and interactive smartphone quest based on values of trust, compassion, determination and endurance. All values that teens between 10 and 14 years old can easily understand and relate to. Visitors explore historical and contemporary art and design through these values in a smartphone-bases cultural treasure hunt. The quest starts and ends in a specially designed object theatre, with state-of-the-art projections, displays and sound systems.