Working towards a United Kingdom – how UK Museums & Galleries are actively engaging emerging communities through inclusive programming

And so begins my quest to discover the keys of success in developing engaging and empowering inclusive programs based in museums and galleries. I am seeking expertise in designing and implementing, quality inclusive projects that provide participants with a strong sense of ownership and opportunities to develop valuable skills, securing sustainable benefits rather than a fleeting positive experience. What better place to start this exploration than the UK. Museums and galleries here have become world leaders in this field due to a strong focus on social inclusion by the last government.

Areas of investigation include...

- How to recruit program participants

- Developing and maintaining effective partnerships with community groups

- Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with specialist staff e.g. artists, curators, mental health professionals etc.

- Measures that can be taken to encourage social inclusion and access to become part of the core business of museums and galleries rather than an added extra or after thought.

- Strategies to ensure that programs produce sustainable benefits for participants.

- Program content ideas e.g. different art mediums, themes & objects that can be used as catalysts for self expression and storytelling.  Different ways finished works can be exhibited.

- Skills and expertise necessary to provide quality inclusive programs. Do you need to have a welfare background? How to you navigate through the grey area between the welfare and cultural sector?

- Time duration of effective inclusive programs. Are short programs  (1-2 weeks in length) worthwhile or should all programs run for at least a few months?

- Planning time involved in quality inclusive programs.