Ruth Quinn Email and Phone Number

As of April 2016, my role at the Mental Health Museum became full-time. My role as Museum Assistant at the MHM was extremely varied. My responsibilities included developing an informal learning offer for our in-patient community at Fieldhead Hospital, exhibition development and research, fundraising, developing and managing the MHM's social media accounts, delivering talks and tours and the day to day administration of the museum and collections. Through my role at the Mental Health Museum I have developed a keen interest in the history of mental health care - specifically asylum landscapes. In conjunction with this role I completed an MA Dissertation at Leeds Trinity University about moral therapy and the landscape of the West Riding Pauper Lunatic Aslyum in the early 19th century.

The Happy Museum Project was set up by Tony Butler in 2011 with a vision to challenge museums to use their position in society to promote well-being, sustainability and resilience. Working on part-time freelance basis I developed newsletter content and blog content, created social media content, managed the Happy Museum website and assisted the team to manage and deliver events. During this time, I was fortunate enough to learn from the rich experience of the Happy Museum team and community of practice. My experience of working with the Happy Museum Project has sharpened my knowledge of communications, new practice in the museum sector and evaluation. I maintain a keen interest in sustainability in the museum sector and I am a passionate advocate of the power that cultural institutions have to change lives.

I am part of small team responsible for opening/closing the gallery space, welcoming visitors and providing information on the collections/special exhibitions, processing bookings, facilitating the ‘Burton Saturdays’ event programme, maintaining security protocol and assisting with exhibition installation/ de-installation when required.

I work between Leeds Museums and Galleries and the Royal Armouries Museum assisting the Registrar's departments whilst receiving professional training and mentoring as part of the 'Registrar's Training for the Future' programme. Key tasks include assisting with:Loans administrationObject entry and exit proceduresDocumentationAuditsCollections rationalisation As part of the traineeship scheme I have completed a PGCert (pending) in Art Gallery & Museum Studies at The University of Leeds.

I worked alongside curators to research, develop and install the 'Jewish Artists in Yorkshire' exhibition (17 April - 20 July 2013). Key tasks included:ResearchWriting copy for the exhibition catalogue/display panelsLoan requests and transportationConsulting with artists, academics and the Jewish community in LeedsExhibition installation/de-installation.

Delivered weekend and holiday heritage themed craft sessions and supvervised activity stalls at outdoor events.

I worked alongside Natural Science curators to catalogue conchology specimens collected by Charles Thorp Sylvanus Hanley using the TMS database.Key tasks included:AccessioningCataloguingObject photography Research