Co-creating a trail that starts a conversation about reinterpreting AAGM’s permanent displays
Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums (AAGM) are always looking for ways to make their spaces more welcoming and reflective of the communities they serve.
Over the past year, they’ve been working closely with Four Pillars – Aberdeen’s local LGBT+ support charity and drop-in centre – to co-create Rainbow Illuminations, a queer art trail that starts a conversation about reinterpreting AAGM’s permanent displays through the lens of LGBTQIA+ lived experience.
The idea started with a simple but important question: how can the museum ensure LGBTQIA+ stories are visible in their venues all year round – not just during Pride? They knew they had art works in their collection that could speak to queer experiences, but they also knew they couldn’t tell those stories alone.
So, they reached out to Four Pillars, who they’d previously collaborated with on the Prejudice and Solidarity Archived Throughout History (PATH) project, and invited them to help develop a trail for the art gallery.
Together, they selected artworks that explore themes like affection, companionship, and liberation – emotions that connect us all, but which carry particular resonance in queer lives. Members of the AAGM team met regularly with Four Pillars to shape the interpretation of these works.
We launched the trail on 1 June 2025 via the free digital guide Bloomberg Connects, so people can explore it any time, from anywhere. The audio is currently voiced by Four Pillars volunteers and AAGM staff, and we plan to update both the recordings and the featured art works periodically to keep the trail fresh and relevant.
The response has been really encouraging. It’s strengthened our relationship with Four Pillars and helped raise awareness of their support services. Visitors have told us they’re enjoying seeing familiar artworks in a new light. For our team, it’s sparked valuable conversations about how we approach representation and inclusion more broadly.
Rainbow Illuminations isn’t a one-off – it’s part of an ongoing conversation and is available year-round. But it’s shown us how powerful it can be to open up our practice and share the storytelling space.