Applications have now closed - we look forward to reading them and will be in touch with the results as soon as possible!
Heritage Open Days wouldn’t be what it is today without the generosity, genius – and guts of the thousands of people up and down the country who open up our cultural heritage physically and intellectually. Heritage Open Days is more than just four days of open doors. There are many facets to making accessible the places we value and telling the stories that made and continue to shape the world around us. We’d like to kick off an on-going conversation that gives a behind-the-scenes look of the event and responds to issues and trends that affect those delivering Heritage Open Days.
This summer will see the launch of our Heritage Open Days blog. True to the spirit of partnership work, we envisage it as a shared platform that reflects the vast and varied experience, skills and knowledge of those involved in Heritage Open Days. If you are one of the programme’s many helpers and have a knack for words, you have the chance to become one of the blog’s team of regular contributors.
How will it work?
- Those interested in becoming a Heritage Open Days blogger can apply by completing an online application form by 5 May 2011.
- Applicants will be selected on the basis of the different assets they would bring to the blog: their interests, specialist knowledge, the role within and their relationship to Heritage Open Days and of course their creative writing skills.
- English Heritage will invite successful applicants to a one-day workshop on 15 June to get to know each other, brush up on best blogging practice and collaboratively shape the blog.
- The Heritage Open Days team will contribute to, curate and edit the blog. Our team of bloggers will commit to a schedule of posts and topics agreed with each individually. The aim is to have at least one new blog post per week, and there may be comments and questions from readers to answer afterwards.
- The blog will go live in mid-July to become an all-year round feature of the website.
- The posts may be informative, entertaining or thought-provoking but should always be engaging and interesting to read.
The role would suit someone who:
- Brings a specific angle to the event: a property owner or manager opening up for Heritage Open Days, someone from a council or local amenity society who co-ordinates a larger programme, a volunteer acting as a tour guide or bringing a place to life.
- Has an interest in and/or a more in-depth knowledge of an area relevant to Heritage Open Days (for instance: different aspects of cultural heritage, historic periods, tour guiding, volunteering, tourism, access, health & safety, PR & marketing, evaluation, policy).
- Is able to write eloquently or amusingly but definitely jargon-free about it.
- Can commit to contributing up to five posts per year.
- Is willing to help promote the blog among their contacts.
