Kent Museum Of The Moving Image Community Interest Company

Kent MOMI continued to deliver a programme of frequently changing exhibitions during the year ended 28 February 2025, exploring a range of themes from cinema and pre-cinema heritage. Recent examples included “World War I on Film and in the Media”, displays on the screen output and posters of Ealing Studios (highlighting an unexpected local connection), and “Dissolving Views”, a notable screen phenomenon originating in the 1820s with modern survivals. The cultural value of the museum’s work is evidenced by regular visitor feedback on platforms such as TripAdvisor and Google, which frequently highlights the welcoming environment, the team’s willingness to answer questions wherever possible, and the museum’s commitment to making reliable information widely available in multiple formats. Visitors also note the active research undertaken by the organisation and the fact that this research is shared with the public. The museum is fully accessible and, during the year, expanded its volunteer programme to include autistic volunteers and teenagers (including trans young people), alongside a broad range of older volunteers. Volunteers are supported to engage in projects matched to their interests, including (for example) restoration of 19th-century equipment and development of the museum bookshop. Kent MOMI continued to receive donations from members of the local community and worked to interpret and present these items for public benefit. Current work includes development of a small exhibit on the “Alexia” theatre—a Maidstone cinema which operated for approximately 20 years from the 1930s to the 1950s in a private living room—illustrating a distinctive story of local community endeavour. The organisation also supported local community cohesion by welcoming the Ukrainian community, providing a venue for meetings and facilitating access to information and materials. Alongside exhibitions, Kent MOMI curated and delivered free film screenings and bespoke workshops, including hands-on children’s activities, which resumed fully across 2024–25 following the disruption caused by the pandemic. During the year, the museum undertook visible improvements to the exterior of the premises, including removal of extensive pebbledash, re-rendering the building in smooth white, and—subject to the relevant permissions—installing a 30-foot mural of Buster Keaton. The mural has quickly been embraced as a new local landmark and has contributed to a sense of civic pride, conversation, and town identity.