Last week our Learning Team were at the International HandsOn! Making a Difference Conference hosted by Eureka to present, deliver and share our multi-award winning SENsory Atelier programme – and it was incredible!
The conference took place 25 – 28 November in Liverpool and brought together a global community of changemakers to explore how children’s museums are shaping the future. The event considered the many ways children’s museum professionals approached and balanced responsibilities, kept pace with issues and challenges, and developed thoughtful dialogues while also experiencing learning in a joyful way.
The conference featured 34 conference sessions, over 200 delegates, and 5 key note speakers including Dame Rachel de Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England, Baroness Floella Benjamin OM, DBE, DL, Member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom, and Dr Helen Charman FRSA MA Dip, Director of Learning, National Programmes and Young V&A.
Our learning team worked within the theme ‘Radically Inclusive – Transforming Access and Expression in Museum Learning for SEND Audiences’ to curate a unique and fun event. The session showcased the work of SENsory Atelier and how we can all be radically Inclusive in galleries.
Held by Lisa Jacques, SENsory Atelier Programme Manager, and Marianne Pape, Learning and Outreach Manager, the session was also joined by SENsory Atelier artist, Sian W Taylor. Her work explores the link between music and muscle memory, through performance, drawing, photography, and art installation. Sian has worked with the SENsory Atelier programme for many years and has been a key figure in developing and delivering the work to children, young people, families, schools, and other arts organisations.
“We had the most amazing time, and really enjoyed delivering our session, our presentation and very active workshop, which was so well received, so many great comments and connections made. Thank you so much for HandsOn! And Eureka for inviting us to speak about our work and the opportunity to meet with organisations from around the world, 22 countries presented, what a privilege!” – Lisa Jacques, SENsory Atelier Programme Manager
“[The event] was so amazing. We shared SENsory Atelier and how we can be Radically Inclusive in galleries. We met so many incredible international practitioners, researchers, and a Dame! So much to process and we are completely honoured to have been invited to share our work.” – Marianne Pape, Learning and Outreach Manager
The sessions feedback was wonderful from the attendees, including Jane Rice-Brown, former Chair of Eureka, who commented how amazing the project was and how emotional she felt.
If you would like to learn more about SENsory Atelier and all the incredible work our Learning Team, visit our website.