GEM Developing Anti-Racist Practice in Museums

The course is now open for bookings. Click here to book your place.

In this course we will take stock of, explore, and develop anti-racism practice in relation to all aspects of your role within your museum.

Whilst focusing on the objects & collections, audiences & communities that you work with, this course will be an opportunity to build skills, capacity, and commitment to the development of anti-racism practices. In these workshops we hold space to think about, reflect on and discuss the complex, interwoven themes and subjects that relate to anti-racist practice in all areas of our work.

We address the following questions

• What skills, knowledge and understanding have you gained so far?
• Where and what are the gaps and challenges?
• How has our understanding of anti-racism practice developed over the past few years?
• What do we need to put in place to continue developing and thriving in our anti-racist practice?

Session 1 – Will explore our shared understanding of Anti-racism practice and how it underpins the work we do. Be supported through a critical overview of your anti-racism practice from the personal to the organisational.

Session 2 – Using shared experiences, case studies and presentations.

Will help you to Identify and shape action and initiatives that could deliver the changes that you need to make.

This online course is a series of 2 x 3-hour interactive workshops. We offer creative reflection tasks, group activities, slide presentations, discussions and break-out to look critically at our work.

We aim to build understanding on a personal, professional and organisational level. This supports the development of strategies, objectives and skills needed to create sustainable anti-racist practice in all areas of your work. This programme will provide a unique opportunity to learn within a supportive peer network, which draws on a diversity of experiences and backgrounds to develop your practice.

We create training with moving and memorable learning experiences which you can share with your organisations and colleagues.

Feedback from previous students

I really enjoyed it. The trainers were great and thought provoking. Thank you!

This was a very informative and interactive course. Loved the class participation.

I appreciated the chance to think more deeply about the language and concepts around this area. I feel I have grown from doing this course.

Who is it for?

This series of participatory workshops are aimed at anyone involved in delivering learning and engagement in museum, heritage and cultural sites.

This course is for participants who have actively engaged in some reading, and or studying around Anti- Racism. Reading lists, resources and signposting to other courses will be provided as part of the course.

Who runs the course?

Jean Campbell

Jean is a trained teacher, art therapist and museum educator, specialising in the legacies of transatlantic slavery and colonialism.  For over 15 years, Jean has designed and delivered countless workshops, staff training and projects engaging diverse groups. She aims to create safe spaces in which people are respected and supported to share thoughts, experiences and ideas and be their creative best.

Meera Chauda

Meera is a Creative facilitator and Consultant. She has worked in Learning and Interpretation in the Museums and the cultural sector for over 25 years. She has worked with Museums, Galleries, Schools, and other Cultural organisations to devise and deliver projects, workshops, training, resources, and evaluation. She is currently a critical friend for Tate Schools and Teachers.

Since 2020 Meera and Jean have devised and run a series of arts – based training and consultation for Museum staff responding to the drive for anti-racist, inclusive, and decolonising practices. These include The Pitt Rivers Museum, The Museum of London, The Horniman Museum, The Sir John Soane’s Museum, The Royal Air Force Museum.

When & where is it?

This online course will take place over two sessions and will be run through a series of interactive workshops.

Dates:  23 & 30 January 2024

10-1pm – 3-hour sessions. Participants must be able to attend all sessions (the course sessions will not be recorded to ensure a safe space can be maintained for all involved).

Course fee

GEM Members £120

Non-Members £150

Bursaries to help with course fees are available on request – please contact [email protected] to discuss this further.

Book your place here: courses.gem.org.uk/p/developing-anti-racism-practice-in-museums-winter-2024