We are always delighted to make the Museum available as a resource for others to make positive things happen for themselves. Our ambition is to become an admired ‘Kulturhaus’/‘Chi Gonisogeth’, somewhere artists and communities can explore the diversity of contemporary and historic Cornish life together. As such we offer the museum as a place for artists to undertake residencies.
In August 2026 we hosted Tilly McKerrow for one week (17-21 August) to allow her to deepen her research initiated on her exploration of the collection for the exhibition Out of Paper.
In June 2026 we hosted Vicki Aimers, PhD researcher and artist. Her residency considered the museum’s sampler collection through close looking and interpretation. It also included open sessions to gather stories and making workshops.
In September 2025 the designer/maker Philip Crewe was in residence with us for the second time. He first approached us in 2022 to undertake a residency where he will made a tool for Cornwall. His great great Grandad John Henry Perry was born in a workhouse in Helston. He led a life of both industry and adventure and the project resulted in the Perry Knife.
In February 2023 we hosted lantern maker Tony Crosby to create a new lantern for the Helston St Piran’s Parade. Tony worked with the collection to create a lantern of Bob Fitzsimmons. Previously Tony created two lantern angels for as part of a project for the museum with St Michaels Church.
In September 2022 Alice Blackstock a textile artist from Belfast who lives and works in London joined us for a week. She explored our clothing archive and showed works from her portolio..
In March 2019 visual artist Melanie Young and dance artist Caroline Schanche (Open the Box Arts) were resident at the museum creating an installation. Through film, movement, images and sound they will be explored the dark and light of grief and loss.
