Hands On! International & European Museum Academy are looking for exceptional and excellent children’s exhibition programmes for the Children in Museums Award 2022.

Eligibility

Applications are welcomed from children’s museums; from education, children’s and youth departments in museums; science centres; and from other cultural institutions with a particular emphasis on children’s programming. Museums may be long-established or recently opened. However, priority is given to programmes which display recent innovation. Candidates can compete as such or apply with a special (temporary) programme or exhibition. The project entered for the Award, however, must be current and open for viewing in the judging year, i.e. between 1 March and 30 June 2022.

Criteria
Applications will be assessed against these criteria:

1.INNOVATION

e.g. showing new pathways to enlarge subject matters, new ideas for using collections in children’s programmes, new ways of using technologies to interact with the content, new forms of actively engaging young visitors, etc.

2. QUALITY OF LEARNING

e.g. creating an overall environment and atmosphere which are conducive to learning, using interactivity to favour understanding, involving children in the conception and design, testing and evaluation of programmes and exhibitions, etc.

3. INCLUSION AND SOCIAL IMPACT

e.g. showing evidence of programmes or initiatives that have a social impact and focus on inclusion and diversity, outreach activities, etc.

4. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

e.g. having an informative website, learning printed and/or digital materials for schools, teachers, parents, etc.

5. STAFF

e.g. showing good management and well-trained and experienced staff.

Pre-Selection

There will be a pre-selection of shortlisted candidates published in advance of the Award meeting, details of which will follow later.

Entry fee

REGULAR: €295
MEMBERS: Hands On! International members will pay €225

Prize

The winner of the travelling Miffy trophy and a €5000 cash prize sponsored by Mercis B.V. will be announced in the course of a festive evening event. Nominees will be named honorary ambassadors of the 21st Century Children Project co-funded by the European Union, as the represent best practice examples of future-oriented museum spaces for children.

Jury

The Award is judged by a panel of experts experienced in many disciplines within the museum field who all contribute their time as volunteers. The judges are looking especially for museums, exhibitions, programmes and museum environments that show:

• a commitment to children, to encourage children’s curiosity and to stimulate their imagination
• creativity and innovation
• quality learning experiences

The judges will be looking for what is understood as ‘public quality.’ In this specific case, the museum’s commitment to improving children’s experiences, growth, learning, well-being through the museum environment, atmosphere and programming.

Deadline

The closing date for applications is 1 April 2022.

Please visit the Hands On! International website for further information and to download the application form.