About us: Background
Archive Awareness Campaign (AAC) was originally designed to address the issues of under representation of UK archives, especially in comparison with the museum, gallery and library sectors. The campaign began with Archive Awareness Month in September 2003 and is a celebration of archives in the UK and Ireland. Since then, the annual campaign theme takes place over a longer period throughout the autumn and winter. Special events, workshops and exhibitions go on right across the country for all to enjoy.
A listing of themed and general events, taking place as part of the campaign can be found in events.
For more information about archives click here What are archives?
Celebrate with us
AAC is a chance for the public to try something new and find out what archives have to offer. We aim to show that everyone has a history and archives have a bit of yours! It is also an opportunity for organisations to try something new and be part of a larger push to promote their facilities.
The campaign is organised and funded by the Archives and Records Association, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and The National Archives. It is coordinated centrally but relies on the input and enthusiasm of hundreds of organisations.
The AAC Team
Throughout the year, the team supports organisations with their events and activities by generating publicity in the local media and press-the aim is to highlight the practical worth of archives.
The team coordinates the annual campaign theme with a launch in the autumn-this usually runs through until the following spring.We also produce postcards in conjunction with this. Images for the postcards are supplied to us from archives and other collections. These are distributed to archives, museums, galleries, exhibitions and conferences and given to the public at The National Archives. Other promotional material produced by the team include posters and balloons.
Aims, Audiences, Messages
Our aim is to encourage participation in archive events; increase awareness and the use of archives among existing, new and different users.
What AAC says about archives?
Archives are relevant to you, they are accessible and fun! They are a window into the past. They contain unique resources covering every aspect of our history its interests, its business life and its creativity. They bring history to life through documents, photographs, maps and treasures and AAC invites you celebrate our rich heritage.
AAC aims to reach out to the under-24s, university students, black and ethnic minority groups as well as new and non-traditional users.
Examples of past themes
Culture and Diversity: What's Your Story? 2011
Culture and Diversity: What's Your Story? centred on culture, creativity, the arts and diversity across the UK. It celebrated culture and diversity in particular by commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Britain. From spring to winter there were several activities including online and onsite exhibition at the National Archives. The Festival of Britain in 1951 was held to promote Britain and took place 100 years after the Great Exhibition of 1851. It consisted of a number of attractions centred in London including the South Bank exhibition and the opening of the Royal Festival Hall on the River Thames. South Bank Centre celebrated its anniversary with a four month festival opening on 22 April. Archives and other organisations put on a broad and exciting programme of activities to promote their collections in culture, creativity, the arts, film as well as their records of the Festival of Britain including the Scottish Council on Archives Edible Archives; V&A's Inside Outing; Scout Association's tours of Gilwell Park and Web exhibition; Sutton Local Studies & Archives Centre's All Dressed Up and Somewhere To Go exhibition; The Guardian's talk and tour; Cornwall Record Office series of exhibitions looking at Cornish culture and Manchester Chinese Archive Community exhibition.
Discovery: Archives in Science, Technology & Medicine 2010
2010 celebrated the stories behind some of the most ground breaking inventions from the 19th century and the men and women who made contributions to the field. From inventors to industrialists, engineers to local heroes and mavericks, there have been many who influenced the course of history in Britain and changed the way we see the world. Among the pioneers highlighed are the founder of modern nursing Florence Nightingale, Sir William Armstrong, who started the Armstrong Whitworth manufacturing empire, and the amateur scientist extraordinaire Sir David Lionel Salomons who mounted the first motor show in England.
Take Flight: 2009
'Take Flight' was chosen to reflect anniversaries in 2009 which centred on flights and movements. From American explorers Robert Peary and Matthew Henson becoming the first men to reach the North Pole 100 years ago to the 40th anniversary of the first manned moon landing. The theme was open to interpretation and lent itself to a wide variety of archival work in economic and industrial history; the impact of movement of peoples; innovation and ideas; engineering and science.
Take Your Place in History: 2008
The theme for 2008 was Take Your Place in History, with the emphasis on community archive and the records of black and minority ethnic communities. The campaign showed how different groups have worked to bring about change and raise awareness about social issues amongst decision makers and opinion informers.
Freedom and Liberty Campaign: 2007
The theme for Archive Awareness 2007 was Freedom and Liberty - chosen to link with the bicentenary of the Parliamentary abolition of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade but also to highlight wider historical struggles for freedom and citizenship from Suffragettes to Chartists.
Wood you believe it?! 2006
The theme for 2006 was Woods and Neighbourhoods. Events examined local and community history, urban and rural. As the theme suggested, it happened at archives and record offices all over the country.
Victorian Voices: 2005
Archive Awareness Campaign 2005 focussed on a nationwide short story competition which took place in October of that year. Over 40 schools took part in AACs short story competition, Victorian Voices. Approximately 1000 children looked at and, were inspired by, Victorian archive material.
Routes to Roots: 2004
The theme for 2004 was Routes to Roots. Archive Awareness Campaign got involved in the new BBC Family History series, Who Do You Think You Are? It was planned for the winter, with archives running events and offering stories under the themes of the series.
