Join us for a practice-based, in-person study day exploring inclusive museum practice and designing for children. Discover how museums have the opportunity to better serve communities by considering the child’s museum visit holistically

Though treasure trails and special programmes are a wonderful start to engaging children in museums, museum buildings and exhibitions still prioritise the adult, nondisabled visitor. The fact is that children are a marginalised group who remain underserved in museum galleries. Museums have an opportunity to better serve our communities by considering the child’s museum visit holistically, not only at certain times or in certain spaces.

Together we will look at design for children under 10 through a disability justice and human rights lens. We will pay special attention to embodiment, social learning, and multisensory and multimodal techniques. Embracing playful learning means disrupting our preconceptions of the ‘right’ way to learn and the resulting exhibits are more successful for learners of a wide variety of ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds. The workshop will include some theory, a variety of inspirational examples, hands-on exercises, and tools and resources.

Inclusive Museum Practice: Designing for Children in Museums
Study Day, Tuesday 24 March, Central London
Led by Margaret Middleton

About the Workshop Leader

Margaret Middleton is an independent exhibit designer who spent the first decade of their career in children’s museums. They run a one-person design studio in Manchester specialising in playful learning environments for multigenerational audiences. Middleton has written widely about inclusive museum practice: margaretmiddleton.com/writing

Book Tickets

Click ‘Select options’ below to book your place on the study day. Tickets are available on a sliding scale from £137 – £177. Book with colleagues for multiple delegate discounts. Book your ticket online below or email info@museum-id.com if you prefer to be invoiced.

20% of tickets are available at a reduced rate for museum workers who may often be excluded from training and professional development opportunities, including people of colour, LGBTQ+ members of staff, students, freelancers, and those working at small independent museums. Reduced rate tickets are £97 – email info@museum-id.com to check availability and to book a ticket at the reduced rate.

Tickets are non-refundable but may be swapped between colleagues at the same organisation and between different study days (if places are available). If the workshop is postponed, your ticket remains valid for the rescheduled date.