Colchester Museums is overwhelmed with the support shown from local people in response to its crowdfunding campaign with Art Happens, a platform run by Art Fund.
The museum service was hoping to raise £15,000 to help bring to life its new exhibition Wicked Spirits? Witchcraft + Magic at Colchester Castle, in collaboration with the famous Museum of Witchcraft and Magic.
The crowdfunding campaign has now successfully reached its goal and has in fact exceeded it, raising in total £15,396.75.
With over 200 donors, the final donation came from The Friends of Colchester Museums, which helped complete the crowdfunding campaign in style.
Colchester Museums can now press ahead with its exciting plans.
The exhibition will tell the stories of those imprisoned in Colchester’s historic Castle accused of witchcraft. By giving a voice to those who were persecuted, imprisoned, and even executed on suspicion of being a witch it will challenge visitors to question who the “wicked spirits” really were. *
The capital raised will be used to enhance a packed programme of talks and tours, helping to really bring the exhibitions stories to life and delving deeper into this fascinating period of Colchester Castle’s history.
Wicked Spirits? Witchcraft + Magic at Colchester Castle, will open on the 16 July and run until the 6 January 2023.
Councillor Pam Cox, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Heritage, said: "We are blown away with the level of support the campaign has received. The campaign has come at a time of great financial hardship for many families, and it means so much that the planned exhibition has resonated with so many, prompting them to donate.
“As custodians of Colchester’s heritage, it is Colchester Museums’ responsibility to ensure new generations have access to as much of Colchester’s history as possible. The subject of witchcraft and magic fascinates so many, but it's so important that the stories and lives of those accused and who lost their lives is told. We must remember and pay respects, where we can, and teach as many as possible about Colchester’s part in Britain’s witchcraft story.”
Page last reviewed: 16 June 2022