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 the UK’s archives. 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 National Council on Archives, 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
The AAC team coordinates the main campaign by coming up with an annual theme which is launched in autumn and usually runs through until the following autumn. In conjunction with this, archive organisations provide us with images from their collections, relating to the theme and we reproduce the images as postcards. On average we produce between 6-10 postcards. The team also produces general promotional materials including posters and balloons.
Additionally, throughout the year, the team supports organisations that put on general archives events and activities that showcase the practical worth of archives, by generating publicity where appropriate in the local media.
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
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; engineeing 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 AAC’s 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.
