Family Fortunes – how museums, galleries and visitor attractions can better welcome families, and why they should. A workshop brought to you by Kids in Museums.
Times may be tough but families are actively looking for cultural experiences and entertainment at a reasonable price. Often they can put off before they start by services and prices which don’t meet the needs of their family. If your museum’s family services could do with a bit of an update, or if you’re trying to develop a winning family offer from scratch then our workshops are for you.
Upcoming Workshops
Workshop: Family Fortunes
Date: Tuesday 13th November 2012
Location: The Wallace Collection, London
Cost: £75
Workshop: Teen Workshop
Date: Tuesday 4th December 2012
Location: Museum of London Docklands
Cost: £75
*Introductory Offer* Book both workshops for *£125* (Must be the same organisation for both workshops)
Family Fortunes Manchester
It was a day of bright ideas at our Manchester workshop, when 20 delegates from museums and galleries came together at the brilliantPeople’s History Museum in Manchester to hear from a range of fantastic speakers, share ideas and best practice and develop their family strategies on Wednesday 14th March 2012.
The day included speakers from The Market Family, Imperial War Museum North, Jewish Museum London, Whitworth Art Gallery, People’s History Museum, Stoke on Trent Museums and more. To see Sue Benson from the Market Family’s presentation click here.
‘Thank you, the workshop made me feel inspired about making new changes to our provision. ’
Melanie Corner, Learning Officer, the Herbert Museum and Art Gallery, attended the Family Fortunes workshop in Manchester
The participants came up with a list of bright ideas to take back and put into practice. Mar Dixon, Kids in Museums Twitter Manager, was keeping everyone outside the room up to date via the twitter feed #FFW12. The bright ideas from the workshop are listed below.
If you were at the workshop and would like to add any further details or links please do email us atfamilyworkshop@kidsinmuseums.org.uk
‘I really enjoyed the workshop…It was really helpful to reflect and respond and it was a fantastic networking opportunity for me. Lots of fascinating colleagues who I will be in touch with or who have contacted me since.’
Caroline Marcus, Jewish Museum London, who attended the workshop in Manchester
Bright Ideas
1. Use existing happy customers as ambassadors (you tube intros by children)
2. Convert formal visits into informal ones (flyers given to school groups, assembly at local school )
3. Extend private view invites to commercial contacts (local hairdressers, taxi companies)
4. Make family offer service wide through the whole museum, not just for special events and workshops
5. Focus on your USP. What is your point of difference?
6. Use visitors to inspire senior staff and help them to develop a long term vision
7. Involve front of house staff from the outset (including briefings, brainstorming)
8. Provide a real world link to objects in cases (costumes, handling objects)
9. Use traditional audiences to engage new visitors e.g. Grandparent days
10. Make the café family friendly (disposable bibs, bottle facilities)
11. Make sure the shop links to the collection in your museum (also recommended items from staff members, top 10 product lists)
12. Don’t be afraid of simple interactive tools
13. Get involved in local pop up festivals, fairs and events
14. Take inspiration from how children’s authors have addressed difficult issues
15. Use personal stories to connect to big ideas/events
16. Make it clear to visitor when they can talk and when they can listen (make use of simple images rather than saying ssshush)
17. Have early openings for families (perhaps a breakfast club) as well a late night opening
18. Invite visitors to bring in things that matter to them and enable them to share their stories
19. Reach specific groups by inviting other organisations in to use your space (hosting birthday parties, or local businesses Christmas parties) Develop in-kind exchanges that further generate visitor engagement (use umbrella organisations to make contact with hard to reach groups)
20. Use neglected spaces creatively (lifts, toilets, corridors, visitor feedback board on back of toilets)
21. Use local health visitors to spread the word to new parents. Exploit networks
22. Simple, cheap touches make a big difference. Add coat hooks at a low level for children, step up stools, have nappies available in toilets or at reception desk
23. Not all family activities should be floor based. Provide an alternative that suits everyone.
24. Don’t be scared of picnics! (snack mats – arty picnics)
Our previous workshop was held at the Jewish Museum in London in November 2011.
