During the Easter holiday, 30 young people aged 16 – 17 years from across the UK enjoyed a week’s residential in Cambridge exploring art and nature with Clare College. During the week, the young people were able to take a deep dive into the collections at the Museum of Zoology and Kettle’s Yard. Along with curators and engagement staff, they developed their understanding of both the objects themselves but also how museums operate and how exhibitions are developed.
At Kettle’s Yard they were introduced to the collection and the unique context and history of the house. They focused on natural objects, depictions of nature and themes of the natural environment.
The group also explored the current exhibition Here is a Gale Warning: Art, Crisis & Survival, and were stimulated by how artists used their creativity to voice their feelings about societal issues. Inspired by the exhibition and working in small groups, the young people devised their own creative manifesto about an environmental issue that was important to them. The young people agreed their most valued points to devise a collective manifesto to care for the environment were:
1. Indirect harm is still harm
2. Fragile things need balance and care
3. If nature suffers, humanity suffers too
4. Urge your government to clean contaminated land
5. Innovation for construction, not wealth and proliferation
6. Nature should be incorporated into architecture
7. Leave only footprints
8. Rien est nouveau (nothing is new)
9. Balance between benefit and drawback of generating and using power
10. Be purposeful in all areas of life and creation
On the penultimate day, the young people worked on developing an exhibition which will be on display at Museum of Zoology, sharing outcomes from their week-long residency. They worked with writer Hannah Jane Walker to develop a title and introductory panel for their exhibition. The young people selected objects from Kettle’s Yard and started to draft extended captions for the exhibition.
The young people also spent time with experts at the Museum of Zoology to select specimens and develop ideas for their display, and experienced college life through a visit to the Women’s Art Collection at Murray Edwards College.
On the final day, the young people worked with designers from Paper Rhino to develop ideas for the exhibition branding, font and logo. They spent time finalising and agreeing the exhibition title and content before sharing their plans with staff from across Kettle’s Yard and the Museum of Zoology.
The young people reflected:
“I have found that museums can strengthen our connection to nature.”
“I’ve learnt that museums shape our future, and don’t let us forget that.”
“I’ve discovered the art and balance of Kettle’s Yard.”
Their exhibition, Fragile Harmony, opens at the Museum of Zoology in Autumn 2025. It will be accompanied by a digital tour of Kettle’s Yard.
