Takeover Day is an initiative created by the Children’s Commissioner in England in which every sector (public and private sector) is invited/encouraged to allow kids to take over for the day.  Kids in Museums runs the museums sector.

This year, the Children’s Commissioner of Wales took part with a Taking Over Day for museums for the first time.

Over 1500 children and young people – from toddlers to young adults – took over 85 museums on Takeover Day 2012 on Friday 23rd November. Museum directors, front of house staff, curators, conservators, website designers and catering staff were replaced by children.

Once again, I had the privilege of travelling with Paul Hutchinson from Virtual Shropshire to several venues to capture Takeover Day / Taking Over Day 2012 on film (or digital…).

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On Tuesday November 20th, Paul Hutchinson from Virtual Shropshire and I made our way to the National Slate Museum in North Wales to cover Taking Over Day for Kids in Museums.  This was the first time Wales participated in this event.

The National Slate Museum is very similar to Blists Hill in Ironbridge for those who have been there – it’s an open air museum that consist of working machinery and buildings to help bring to life the history of Welsh slate industry.

Did I mention the rain?  It was pouring. A lot.

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What is the first thing that pops into your head when you think of the Tower of London?

• Anne Boleyn?
• Blood?
• Ravens?
• Crown Jewels?

You’re right, of course, but it’s so much more than that.  Its traditions and value to the UK history are something that the Yeoman Warder (aka Beefeaters) manage to maintain to this day.

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I was able to read and tweet my thoughts the day the Cultural Education in England (#culturehenley) report came out.  While there have been some lovely summaries, I have decided to ‘Storify’ my tweets as they were produced while I read the report (eg are raw and real thoughts).

Cultural Education in England http://bit.ly/yEcC5h #culturehenley (Official report now online)

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Ashmolean Museum‘s history is as interesting as the items and artifacts it holds. It lays claim to Britain’s First Museum and was named after Elias Ashmole, an aficionado of antiquities who studied at the University of Oxford while posted to the military

The collection began modestly in the 1620s with a handful of portraits and curiosities displayed in a small room on the upper floor. In 1636 and 1657, Archbishop Laud and Ralph Freke added notable collections of coins and medals, later installed in a strong room of their own and now incorporated into the Ashmolean coin collection.

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My family went to Oxford to visit Pitt Rivers Museums and Oxford University Museum of Natural History.  While there, and as it was so close, we also went to Britain’s First Museum Ashmolean Museum (next blog).

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This was original posted on Guardian Culture Professional Network

It’s not enough to be family-friendly – we need to persuade teenagers that museums are for them too, says Mar Dixon

In recent years, a lot of emphasis has been placed on ensuring young people are not only welcomed but actually encouraged into UK museums and cultural institutions. Almost every venue now has, or is developing, a family scheme with children their main target.

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I visited the Lost in Lace exhibition at the Birmingham Art Gallery.  I am not a textile fan but have heard nothing but good about this exhibition so decided to see for myself.  I was not disappointed.

There is a small taster exhibition in the main art gallery by the Round Room.  There used to be access to the other section of the gallery but they are currently under going major refurbishments so this access has been cut off.

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I had the honor of being part of Kids in Museums’ #TakeOver2011 with Paul Hutchinson who was kind enough to volunteer to help video the days events.

Ironbridge Gorge Museum

We started off at Ironbridge Gorge Museum Coalbrookdale where Coalbrookdale Primary and Telford College were invited to Take Over two exhibitions.  Having this diverse age gap proved to be very successful.

After the meet and greet, everyone went to the Sports and Science exhibition and an exhibition within Enguinity museum.  The pupils were briefed on what to do:  Look around and be honest – what do you dis/like? What would YOU want to see? Read the rest of this entry »

Once again, Wolverhampton Art Gallery, together with ARTIST Rooms managed to secure a fabulous talk by American Artists Ed Ruscha.

Ed’s art combines painting, drawing, photography and typography providing a unique flavor of works that is not limited to one medium.

As Charlotte had a PD day, she invited friend Megan to come to the talk.  While I wasn’t exactly positive what age group the talk was aimed at, Wolverhampton Art Gallery’s fabulous Exhibition curator Zoe Lippett has always welcome Charlotte to these events since Charlotte was at the launch of ARTISTS Rooms in May 2009 when there was a talk with Anthony d’Offay regarding Andy Warhol.

We arrived a bit early for the girls to have a look at the Ed Ruscha exhibition and also to see the BP Portrait Award exhibition as Michael said it was really impressive (and he wasn’t wrong!). Before entering the BP Portrait Award exhibition, there was a very Kids in Museums friendly warning about nudity.  I chatted with the girls about it and decided they were mature enough to handle it.

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