Access

Access in Museums Conference Bursary – apply by 10 February 2025!

Do you want to improve your services for visitors?  Are you looking for inspiration and an opportunity to network with experts, including winners of the Best Accessible Museum award?
We’re offering 6 museums the chance to send someone to the first national Access in Museum Conference, held in Leeds on 20 & 21 March. The bursary not only includes the full two-day pass, but also up to £150 contribution towards travel and accommodation. Hear inspirational ideas on access and inclusion in museums from gallery interpretation, education resources, employment and more. The conference programme is interactive with a range of workshops on offer and key note speakers include Sam Bowen, founder of SEND in Museums and Joanna Grace founder of The Sensory Projects.

What’s included? 

• Full two-day conference ticket – further details at: Access in Museums Conference
• Travel and subsistence bursary of up to £150
• Networking opportunities with MD North group delegates prior to the conference
• Action planning after the conference, including signposting to potential support opportunities and funding

How do you apply? 
This opportunity is open to staff or volunteers from all museums that are accredited, hold provisional status or are officially recognised as “working towards” within the MD North region.

Please apply via the EOI by 10 February 17.00. You will be asked questions about how this opportunity would benefit your museum and how these changes may be delivered.  Please note we ask for only 1 application per organisation. The form is also the opportunity to share your views on areas of focus around access and inclusion that we could develop for a forthcoming Access Cohort – to be launched in late Spring 2025.

Here is a Word Document version and a PDF version of the EOI form to help you to plan your answers. You must still complete the online form. Please contact hello@museumdevelopmentnorth.org.uk if you need support with this.

If you have any questions about the bursary or the forthcoming access cohort, please email: liz.denton@museumdevelopmentnorth.org.uk

Timeline 
24 January 2025 – Opportunity launched and open for expression of interest
10 February, 5pm – Deadline for EOIs
14 February, 5pm – Applicants informed of outcome
17 March – Pre-conference online meeting (30 mins)
20 & 21 March – Accessible Museums Conference, Leeds City Museum
27 March – Post conference online discussion (30 mins)