Good practice:

Participatory process for the creation of the Maritime Museum of Mallorca

In 2108 the Consortium of Maritime Museum of Mallorca launched a participatory process to validate the museum project and to create a social and territorial museum. The process is helping to match the museum with the expectations of the maritime community and Mallorca society.
The maritime community had advocated the creation of a museum since the disappearance of the ancient Maritime Museum of Balearic Islands in 1974.
This participatory process is a transversal working method in which the whole museum project is involved. It is an ongoing practice which encourages and promotes the dialogue with stakeholders and society by the implementation of two actions:
1. The “Wish Net”. It is a symbolic net where locals can express by writing how they wish the future museum to be. It was installed in the museum facilities and exhibited in several fairs on the island.
Also, it pretends to increase the interest of the community in the museum and the sea and to create a collaboration network with stakeholders in the nautical and gastronomic fair sector.
2. The working process with stakeholders, that include individuals and members of different associations who advocate for traditional marine and sea world. The Consortium organises discussions circles to introduce reflections, demands and expectations from stakeholders in regards to the design of the museum. Their suggestions are taken into account in the decisions to be made about events, museum contents, educational proposals, etc.

“Wish Net”: building materials 600€.
Shipbuilders, members of the internal staff of Maritime Heritage Unit of Consell de Mallorca, have collaborated during the itinerary of the “Wish Net” as informers at the stands.
Working process with stakeholders: hiring an expert on community work 3000€.

The “Wish Net” was exhibited in 7 places. The analysis of 395 opinions concludes that locals want a museum including a specialized heritage but also focused on education, communication and promotion.
12 stakeholders involved and 50 people attended the round tables.
Outputs from feedbacks:
Decalogue of GP on the Sea, to promote values and actions for enhancing the relationship between society & sea.
Research on oral memory.
Inventory of 12 maritime collections.
Guide on traditional boats.

Difficulties encountered are those derived from public administration. Sometimes deadlines could be delayed due to administrative proceedings.
The “Wish Net” has not been efficient enough as more human resources from the museum should have been allocated to achieve better dynamization.

Mature and democratic societies are those able to generate participatory processes in all public areas. A public museum, in a rich and full society, has to answer to this fact: it must be participatory and participated, understanding by this fact that it will become more accessible.
The success of participatory processes can be an indicator of the social value of maritime heritage.
The Participatory process launched by the Consortium of Maritime Museum of Mallorca is transferable to other maritime European regions and fishing communities and it can be applied and adapted to different heritages and museums.
The Decalogue can be easily adapted for other regions because it transmits universal values: safeguarding of biodiversity, maritime and fishing heritage, linguistic and gastronomic, and promotion of gender equality.
The Maritime Museum of Barcelona has expressed its interest in the participatory process and it will be presented at the next events Museums and Education Seminars.