Kids in Museums

Kids in Museums has kicked off the decade with the launch of the 2010 Kids in Museums Manifesto, bristling with brand new points. It’s significantly different from the 2009 Manifesto, marking how much museums have changed in response to suggestions and demands from families. We’ve left the 2009 Manifesto up on the website, so you can compare.

One of the most interesting points is that museums should be reaching out as much as drawing in – going out to homes and communities, where people aren’t able to come to them. Museums are no longer just four walls stuffed with artefacts, but places for ideas, debate and discussion. These can happen almost anywhere. And they should be encouraged, not stifled. Another point on the Manifesto is ‘Don’t say sssshussh!’ Museums should be noisy places, with generations talking to each other in a way they might not be able to elsewhere. I see that as a central role for every museum – to become a place of conversations. Those conversations can happen in the café as much as in the gallery. I was struck by the work being done in Belgium on how cafes can be used as places to learn and inform in galleries. You can learn more about the conference I spoke at in Brussels from our Whats Happening pages.

It doesn’t seem very long ago when I was sitting having just one such conversation over coffee with a colleague from the Guardian newspaper, wondering what to do with the huge number of messages from visitors wanting to work together to make Britain’s museums and galleries more welcoming to families. Now, just five years later, over 160 museums have signed up as supporters of the Manifesto, pledging to work towards the 20 points. Go to our Manifesto page to have a look. You can even see where they are in the country on our Google map. And if your local museum hasn’t signed up yet, ask them to do so. They’re very welcome to join us.

We’re now an independent charity, but maintain our link with the Guardian through their sponsorship of the Guardian Family Friendly Museum Award. The Long List was announced in last December – you’ll find it on our Award pages. It was a phenomenal year - the most nominations ever, and whittling them down has proved even more difficult. The Short List will be announced here, on this website, and in the Guardian newspaper on Saturday 6 February, so watch out for it.
With such a strong start to 2010, we have set ourselves high targets and big ambitions. It’s up to you – the visitors – to let us know how we’re getting on, and what you’d like us to do. Kids in Museums aim is that all families, including yours, will have the opportunity to enjoy the wonders Britain’s museums and galleries offer.