An innovative project that enables people of all backgrounds, from across the UK, to become 'curators' of the collections and objects held in museums, libraries and archives.

The Stories of the World exhibitions get young people working with curators, filmmakers, artists, writers and musicians to explore and reinterpret museum collections, giving a new perspective on the stories that tell us about our place in the world.

The exhibitions will include objects discovered in museum stores, important loans, special events, and collaboration with artists, musicians and performers.

The result? Exhibitions and events at over 40 venues, designed to appeal to new audiences everywhere and welcome the world to the UK in 2012. Exhibition themes will include fashion, music, travel and immigration – all portrayed and described in original ways and with huge curatorial input from young people.

There are already around 1,500 young people involved in all areas of developing the exhibitions – from display, design and interpretation to marketing and promotion.

More than 50 museums across the UK are making this happen by working together on seven projects. It is the biggest ever museum project, and provides a unique chance for the public to get involved and change the way they work for ever. 

Highlights include:

COTTON: Global Threads
Bringing to life the global history of cotton through new work from contemporary artists and the textile collection.
11 February - 13 May 2012 Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester. Open Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm, Sun 2-4pm. Free

More Than Fashion
Young curators re-mix the18th and 19th century costume gallery, Age of Elegance, using digital media.
15 February - 19 May 2012 Gallery of Costume, Rusholme, Manchester. Open Weds-Sat, 1.30-4.30pm. Free

At Home With the World
Special exhibition asking: How 'English' are our homes?
20 March - 9 September 2012. The Geffrye Museum, London. Open Tues-Sat, 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm. Free

Fears, Foes and Faeries
Scarborough's most curious creator, William James Clarke, exhibits a bizarre and beguiling collection.
23 March - 30 September 2012 Scarborough Art Gallery, Scarborough. Open Tues-Sat, 10-5pm

The Body Adorned
Revealing the global influence on how people dress and adorn their bodies in London.
24 March 2012 - 8 January 2013 Horniman Museum and Gardens, London. Open 10.30am-5.30pm. Free

Precious Cargo
A major re-display of objects from Weston Park's Treasures gallery, as curated by young people.
24 March 2012 onwards Museums Sheffield, Sheffield. Open Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm, Sun, 11am-4pm. Free

Dress the World: Suits and Saris
Exploring fusion of fashion between Leicester, India and East Africa through Leicester's South Asian collection.
31 March - 7 October 2012 www.dresstheworld.co.uk - Leicester New Walk Museum & Art Gallery. Free.

Dress the World: The World at Your Feet
Exploring  the role of shoes in creating cultural identity through Northampton's world shoe collection.
31 March - 23 September 2012 www.dresstheworld.co.uk - Northampton Museum & Art Gallery Museum. Free.

Dress the World: Living in Silk
Exploring Chinese influence on fashion through Nottingham's collection and an exhibition from the China National Silk Museum, Hangzou.
31 March - 16 September 2012 www.dresstheworld.co.uk - Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery.

The Search for Immortality: Tomb Treasures of Han China
Over 350 treasures in jade, gold, silver, bronze and ceramics will reveal the hidden world of China’s 2000 year old royal tombs.
5 May -  11 November 2012 The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

Mind the Map: Inspiring Art, Design and Cartography
New exhibition combining the Museum's historic map collection with exciting new works by leading artists.
18 May - 28 October 2012 London Transport Museum, London

Golden Threads
Bradford Young Curators create links between historical and modern Bradford using the city's collections.
19 May - 16 September 2012 Bradford Industrial Museum, Bradford

Made in China
Two great nations, two vibrant cultures, 500 years of history - exploring British relations with China.
16 June 2012 onwards Oriental Museum, Durham. Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm, Weekends and bank holidays 12-5pm. Free

Pacific Journeys of Discovery: Exploring New Worlds
Responding to Captain Cook's legacy from New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific.
17 June 2012 onwards Dorman Museum, Middlesborough. Tues-Sun, 9.30am-5pm. Free.

Our Londinium 2012
Young people create a new take on Roman London through poetry, rap, films and displays.
22 June onwards Museum of London, London. Mon-Sun, 10am-6pm. Closed 24-26 December. Free

Global Threads: Asian Textiles and Fashion Today
Young curators mix historic South Asian textiles with today's catwalk, high street and student fashions.
Until 30 June 2012 Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Preston. Open Mon-Sat 10-5pm, except Tues 11-5pm. Free

Sounds Global
What does music mean to you? Young people respond to instruments and sounds.
22 June - 16 September 2012 The National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh. Open Mon-Sun 10am-5pm. Over 14s only. Free

China in the East
A touring exhibition with a difference, showcasing the rich Chinese collections of eastern region museums.
7 July - 25 September 2012 Epping Forest District Museum, Waltham Abbey, Essex

Precious Cargo
Young curators tell the weird, wonderful and secret stories of how objects from all over the world got to Leeds.
20 July 2012 - 13 January 2013 Leeds City Museum, Leeds. Open Tues- Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm. Free

Treasures of China
Exploring the rise of Imperial China taking you on a journey across 8,000 years of Chinese history.
30 June 2012 - 6 January 2013 Colchester Castle, Colchester, Essex. Open Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm, Sun11am-5pm

Stories Through Suitcases
Sharing the stories, photographs and souvenirs of migrant communities in North Lincolnshire.
23 July - 31 August 2012 North Lincolnshire Museum, Normanby Hall, Scunthorpe, Lincs. Check website for activities

Showcase Weekend
Interventions by young people reinterpreting collections throughout the museum.
21 - 22 July 2012 Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm.

World Culture
What happens when young people create an exhibition about world culture? We don’t know yet! Visit us in Summer 2012 and see what happened...
Mid July - Mid September 2012, Great North Museum: Hancock, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne

World Stories, Young Voices
Young people design a new permanent gallery for Brighton’s world art collection.
23 June - 31 December 2012, Brighton Museum & Art Gallery