2022, BBC Radio 4 broadcast/ BBC Sounds

3 x part audio series

In every museum and gallery, cleaning and conservation teams look after our cultural treasures. They have an intimate knowledge of the buildings and collections they care for, yet their opinions are rarely heard.

For a new Radio 4 series, artist Eloise Moody has been working closely with nine people across the United Kingdom tasked with keeping their respective museums, galleries and collections clean. As they go about their work, they share the spaces, artworks and exhibits that resonate with them. Every sound you hear in each programme - from brushes sweeping to each word and sigh - was collected and recorded by the Caretakers themselves. This series offers a rare chance to perch invisibly on the shoulders of these exceptional guides, noticing what they stop to consider as they go about their work.

From these remarkable perspectives we visit; Glasgow Women’s Library; Compton Verney; The Hardmans’ House (National Trust); St. Fagans; William Morris Gallery; Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden; Titanic Belfast; Yorkshire Sculpture Park and MIMA.

Thank you to the Caretakers themselves; Doreen, Michael, Philippa, Lisa, Liliana, Deborah, Jackie, Andy and June

It was broadcast on Tuesday 5th, 12th and 19th April, 2022 at 11.30am. All episodes are now available as podcasts on BBC sounds.

The Caretakers is a new series created and produced by Eloise Moody, supported by Metal. It is a Whistledown Production for BBC Radio 4.