Hands On: The Mingana Collection and the MIAH Foundation
The MIAH Foundation’s project, supported by The Barakat Trust, explores Islamic art and history through an engaging public programme that bridges UK-based collections with local communities. Building on the success of a previous initiative, this project focuses on around fifty carefully selected objects, ranging from architectural fragments to decorative arts, drawn from public collections and a teaching collection on long-term loan to MIAH.
Audiences will encounter these objects through a dynamic digital exhibition hosted on the MIAH Foundation website, as well as through a series of interactive social media campaigns that will unpack the objects’ artistry, origins, and evolving meanings. The project will also deliver six hands-on workshops focused on traditional Islamic art techniques, including tile-making inspired by the Dome of the Rock, Kufic calligraphy, and Mamluk geometric design.
Crucially, the project targets school groups, youth organisations, and communities in Birmingham — especially those in Balsall Heath, where demand for access to Islamic art has proven particularly high. Participants will also have the chance to engage directly with the renowned Mingana Collection of Middle Eastern Manuscripts at the University of Birmingham.
By making Islamic art accessible to young people, community groups, and teachers, this project fosters a deeper understanding of Islamic heritage and its relevance in contemporary Britain. The initiative will also produce educational resources and offer internships to support the next generation of heritage professionals.
