Challenges and Opportunities: Creative Approaches to Museum and Gallery Learning during the Pandemic

Abstract

During the pandemic many museums and galleries pivoted from onsite, in-person delivery to develop a remote offer and to create digital learning resources and activity packs for children and young people. In this paper, I draw upon my experience as practitioner researcher on the schools and teachers’ programme at The Fitzwilliam Museum to consider different approaches to supporting participatory creative pedagogies while the museum was closed. After discussing how the work built on and extended existing programming for this audience, I consider effective strategies for facilitating authentic and inclusive encounters with objects and artworks remotely. While some were empowered to take part and to engage, others were locked out through the ever widening social and digital divide. How can we overcome these challenges and make the most of the opportunities which this work has revealed? What are the implications of this work for our understanding of the role, function and future of museum and gallery learning?