A partnership that allows the audience to become the curator and immerse themselves into the imagination of history is being developed in Forres.
The Imaginarium’s Missing Museum is a space where hidden stories come to life and where time travel exists, allowing the past, present, and future to collide in delightfully unexpected ways.
The Forres Edition of The Missing Museum is an exchange and residency delivered in partnership with The Stove and the What We Do Now network in Dumfries and Galloway, artist DJ McDowall (founder of The Imaginarium) and local artist Margot Henderson as well as members of the local community.
Founder of The Imaginarium and the artist behind The Missing Museum, DJ McDowall said: “The power of The Missing Museum dwells not in its walls—because, quite simply, it has none. It exists within empty rooms, in the liminal spaces, a museum that lives and breathes within the expansiveness and responsiveness of The Imaginarium. Here, we don’t just dwell in the possibilities; we actively create them.”
She added: “More than a museum, it is an invitation—an open call to explore, question, and (re)claim the narratives that have long been under-represented, misrepresented or erased. It challenges traditional frameworks of curation and replaces the invisible hand of the traditional curator with something far more democratic: a cohort of Community Curators. Through participatory approaches, we make space for voices that have long been on the margins—to take centre stage, (re)claiming and (re)placing their space in our shared collective history.”
(Re)view, (re)present, (re)place
At The Missing Museum, we doesn’t just reveal history—it proactively (re)views it, (re)presents it, and (re)places it where it rightfully belongs, in the hearts and minds of its local communities. By asking what belongs in a museum and who gets to decide what is saved or lost, it sparks deeper questions and conversations about inclusion, representation, and the power dynamics of storytelling.
This residency is part of Findhorn Bay Art’s commitment to curate and deliver a range of place-based and participatory cultural events that connect with, enhance and support Moray based artists and that celebrate the creative life and unique character of this part of North East Scotland.
Kresanna Aigner, CEO / Creative Director of Findhorn Bay Arts said: “The residency and collaboration with The Stove Network (Dumfries and Galloway) enabled McDowell and Margot Henderson to engage with local people, community groups and organisations to uncover the hidden stories of Forres and explore the stories that are missing and the people who are underrepresented.”
On Friday 28 and Saturday 29 March at the Forres Tolbooth, The Imaginarium’s Missing Museum will culminate in interactive workshop sessions that invite the public to become Community Co-Curators and take a fresh look at how we (re)view the past and (re)present it, and its impact on our future.
Workshop Details
Friday 28 March | Forres Tolbooth, 4.30pm, 5.30pm | FREE
Saturday 29 March | Forres Tolbooth , 11am, 12 noon, 2.45pm, 3.45pm, 5.45pm (accessible event) | FREE
Age Guidance: Suitable for Adults / young people aged 12+ (must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian).
To book a space for the accessible workshop, please contact Gill Bird, Community Engagement Co-ordinator by email: gill@findhornbayarts.com
Limited capacity of 12 people per workshop.
To find out more, reserve your FREE place and join a team of Community Co-Curators, please visit www.findhornbayarts.com.
The Imaginarium’s Missing Museum is a partnership between The Stove Network and the What We Do Now network in Dumfries and Galloway and is funded by Culture Collective and Creative Scotland.
Picture credit: Marc Hindley