Aimed at transforming the trajectory of early career museum professionals
Led by Course Director Kara Wescombe Blackman, the GEM Foundation Course: Museum Learning explores a variety of topics relating to learning in museums, heritage and cultural settings, from access and inclusion to interpretation, from pedagogy to evaluation, interrogating different ideas and approaches to help you develop your skills and understanding.
Who is it for?
GEM’s Foundation Courses are intended for those in their first year or so of their museum education career; or for those working in a different part of the heritage sector but wishing to take up an education position. Since this course is work-based, it is a requirement that applicants should be working or volunteering in the museums, heritage and cultural sector.
How does it work?
Since the course first opened in 2015, participants have discovered new direction, succeeded in finding employment, produced exciting projects, and made change in their organisations. Each participant receives a year-long personal GEM membership to continue the learning and sharing beyond the course.
Facilitated Zoom lectures, online activities, curated discussion groups, virtual or physical cluster museum visits as well as networking with peers will be part of this online course which is now even more accessible to GEM members all over the world.
What will I gain?
GEM’s Foundation Course in Museum Learning will provide you with opportunities to develop, practise and demonstrate the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to be a museums and heritage educator. Museum learning theory and frameworks will be introduced to support and enhance practice throughout the course. Five live sessions, including an in-person museum visit, and additional materials will guide you towards completing a work-based assignment that will benefit not only you but your organisation too. You will be supported by an experienced course director and a group of like-minded peers. The Course Director will provide 1:1 mentoring to all course participants, offering tailored support to help develop ideas, strengthen practice and apply learning to their own context.
