Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) students have partnered with Dorset Museum and Art Gallery to launch Treasure! Lost and Found, an innovative, interactive exhibition designed to completely transform the visitor experience.
Open to the public from Saturday 13 June 2026, the creative takeover seamlessly blends historical heritage with cutting-edge digital technology and multi-sensory storytelling.
Moving beyond traditional static museum displays, the exhibition offers an immersive, family-friendly journey featuring sensory elements like touch, smell and audio, alongside a highly popular interactive dressing-up station.
The collaborative project brings Dorset’s historic treasures to life using modern digital tools, including the Holobox, high-tech projections, and holograms. Visitors of all ages will be able to walk in the footsteps of the past, discovering local history in a fresh and memorable way.
The exhibition was a live brief given to BA (Hons) Events Management and BA (Hons) Creative Direction students from AUB.
Dr Penelope Norman, Programme Leader within AUB’s School of Fashion and Creative Industries Management, says, “This brilliant collaboration with Dorset Museum gave our students the unique opportunity to showcase their work in a professional and public setting.”
Tasked with making complex archaeological information and delicate artefacts highly accessible, the students utilised innovative techniques like 3D scanning and printing. This allows visitors to physically handle exact replicas of historical items that would traditionally remain restricted behind display glass.
“Deeply considering the museum space itself, the students designed a fully immersive, accessible environment,” says Penelope. “Rather than just viewing objects from a distance, visitors can step inside a replicated historic roundhouse and engage with history through a rich variety of sensory experiences, including touch, sound, and smell.”
Olivia West, a second-year student on the BA (Hons) Events Management course, says, “I’ve loved designing the symbols for the exhibition and exploring how they acted as a universal language in the ancient world, connecting cultures and people across time.”
“Using projections and interactive elements in this project has shown me how powerful technology can be in creative storytelling," adds fellow Events Management student Poppy Newman. "I’m proud to have helped create an experience visitors will remember."
Meanwhile, BA (Hons) Creative Direction student Kayleigh Dalton says, “I’ve loved working on a live client brief. For the first time, my work isn't just being graded, it's going on display.”
