If education is at the heart of the matter, then what is the best practice?

Published on January 9, 2013

In this first edition of the Erfgoedarena of the new year we are not necessarily going to search for the need of education or learning opportunities as such, but rather we want to explore the ways and means of our offerings. This special edition is in remembrance of Nico Halbertsma, long-time teacher at the Reinwardt Academy, who passed away in December 2012.

In many heritage institutions such as museums, archival services, landscape preservation agencies and historic houses, learning is seen as one of the essential outcomes that we offer our real or virtual visitors. Even in our times, where the need for state subsidised culture or even culture at large is heavily put into doubt, education at large is seen as one of the essential pillars.

How can we organize educational programmes that are not overly patronizing? How can we find a balance between sheer fun and learning that allows users to get in touch with some of the essentials of life? How can we facilitate learning in an open and yet conclusive way that is indeed effective? How can we cooperate with those who are actually making use of heritage? And what do we need to offer them as communities or individuals, or vice versa what can they offer us? Do we need to proof the impact or quality of learning and which instruments are available?

In this first edition of the Erfgoedarena of the new year we are not necessarily going to search for the need of education or learning opportunities as such, but rather we want to explore the ways and means of our offerings. The chairs of the evening, Imre Vegh (debat.nl) and Ruben Smit (lecturer Reinwardt Academy) will welcome John Reeve, Lecturer Art, Design & Museology at the Faculty of Children and Learning, University London, Mirjam Sneeuwloper (head of Education Bijbels Museum Amsterdam) and Petra Robben (coordinator of Education and Public Participation Citymuseum Tilburg).

In this edition of the Erfgoedarena with the audience present and some experts from the field, we would like to have an open exchange of ideas rather than a dispute on this subject matter. It offers the opportunity to bring about our own best practices. Compare and them, put them into juxtaposition and openly discuss these practices.

Time and location
Wednesday 30 january 2013, start 20.00 hrs.
Reinwardt Academy, Dapperstraat 315, 1093 BS Amsterdam

Participation is free after registration at the Reinwardt Community page.
More information: erfgoedarena@ahk.nl