Any museum, science centre, gallery, similar cultural organisation or museum professional with a particular emphasis on children’s programming is welcome to join Hands On!
We strive to make museums and science centres relevant places for children, to professionalise the field of children’s museums and to share our expertise with each other.
WHY?
We believe museums can play a crucial role in the stimulation of curiosity, creativity and informal, lifelong learning. Museums provide a valuable addition to what children can learn and experience at school or at home.
Our mission
Hands On! believes that museums should encourage curiosity and imagination in the children who visit them. We recognize the role and significance of both collecting and non-collecting children’s museums. Hands On! is committed to the professionalisation of all museums that welcome children. Not only in terms of exhibition design and programmes, but also in financial and personnel management.
Our Vision
Hands On! strives to act as a global leader, advocate and a resource for organisations serving the learning needs of children and families. Our aim is to represent European as well as non-European organisations.
Our Goals
Hands On! has three main goals:
- To heighten the awareness, visibility and recognised value of children in museums. For instance by branding museums as relevant places of learning. But also by developing large-scale initiatives – like our Conference and the Children in Museums Award – that leverage the collective power of the field.
- To support sustainability of Hands On! members. Such as by collecting statistical data on children in museums, to track existing and emerging trends, but also by providing our members with information on EU funding and projects.
- To ensure the future of Hands On! For instance by diversifying our products and services.
More information is available https://hands-on-international.net/
If you are not already a member of Hands On! international and wish to attend ‘Making a Difference’, 25 – 28 November in Liverpool UK, special joining fees are available with your conference ticket purchase in the Join and Go package, which includes membership through to the end of 2025.
