If you visited Peterborough Museum on Friday 21 November, you were in for a big surprise. Young people spent the day taking on jobs and responsibilities usually carried out by adults.
Friday 21 November was Kids in Museums Takeover Day, an annual event when museums, galleries, historic homes, archives and heritage sites across England are taken over by children and young people. Supported by Arts Council England, the charity Kids in Museums launched Takeover Day in 2010 to give children meaningful roles within heritage organisations. Since then, over 45,000 children and young people have taken part. The day coincides with Discover! Creative Careers Month, a flagship national programme designed to inspire 11–18-year-olds to explore the wide range of opportunities available within the creative industries.
Thirty Year 7 students from St John Fisher Catholic High School stepped into the shoes of museum staff. They created visitor tours, learnt how to care and conserve the collections, designed posters for the latest exhibition, and supported on reception. They were also joined by Lydia Baldwin, Senior Creative Cultures Leader at Peterborough Cultural Alliance, who provided an insight into careers in the creative industries.
Mercy Wilson, Museum Learning Coordinator said;
“It is always inspiring to welcome young people into the museum. We can learn as much from them as they do from us. We were thrilled that St John Fisher wanted to take part, and hope they left with new skills, fresh ideas about future careers, and motivation to come back as a visitor.”
One of the pupils described their day as “amazing, fun and life-changing”. Others said they would be keen to come back to visit, volunteer, or attend future events.
At Peterborough Museum we’re passionate about involving children and young people. Our work experience programme has been hugely popular over the last few years, with several participants returning as museum volunteers.