Everyone has a particular object to which they attach a special meaning or story. Every Object Tells A{{U}} (1) {{/U}}is a participative website that enables people to explore the stories and meanings behind collections of museum objects.{{U}} (2) {{/U}}to the site can create their own stories and share their own interpretations and objects online.
The project{{U}} (3) {{/U}}on the art of storytelling and involves four regional museums, in partnership with Channel 4 and Ultralab, a{{U}} (4) {{/U}}technology research centre at Anglia Polytechnic University. It will be led by the Victoria and Albert Museum. It{{U}} (5) {{/U}}the personal meanings and histories behind objects to get people to look at them in new ways. It{{U}} (6) {{/U}}designed to inspire them to create their own stories and share their interpretations and objects of personal significance{{U}} (7) {{/U}}a growing online community.
Video, audio, text and pictures combine on the site to offer an enticing, accessible {{U}}(8) {{/U}}into the content. Users can choose to browse the hundreds of objects featured, or they can search for{{U}} (9) {{/U}}particular theme or person. They can decide on the level of information they want on an object, from{{U}} (10) {{/U}}stories conveyed through text and pictures, to the richer experience offered by accompanying video and audio. They will{{U}} (11) {{/U}}encouraged to add their own interpretation or object to the collection, by uploading text, images, video or audio{{U}} (12) {{/U}}the site or by sending text and images from a mobile phone. In so doing, they will be{{U}} (13) {{/U}}to the website's content and illustrating how a single object can convey different meanings to different people.
The{{U}} (14) {{/U}}stories and wonderful objects will appeal to a broad audience. The project has specific relevance to all key{{U}} (15) {{/U}}of the National Curriculum in English and literacy. Outreach sessions in regional partner museums will encourage people to{{U}} (16) {{/U}}involved in the project locally and a video booth will travel around England, visiting shopping centres, libraries, bus{{U}} (17) {{/U}}and the like, to enable people to capture their object and story in a short video. This will{{U}} (18) {{/U}}be uploaded onto the site.
In addition to the national and local publicity given to the project, Channel 4{{U}} (19) {{/U}}promote the website from a number of its programmes, ensuring a wide appeal and providing an added{{U}} (20) {{/U}}for people to contribute their content.