@Hannah_Museums

Hello Cultural Cheerleaders, this blog is part of my Museum jobs series. In the blog I’ll be sharing some of my favourite CPD for museum careers, including information such as price points.

As a person who has studied and worked in the museum sector for 8 years, and is very committed to career development I’ve built up a bit of a list of great CPD options, and I decided it would be fun to share some of these with you today, and because I love a good bargain, I’m happy to be sharing more affordable options.

1. Future Learn – Free Limited Access plan available.

Future Learn is a great place to check out a range of courses, and they often have a good selection of museum related courses available right now. Depending on the plan you choose, you’ll either receive lessons weekly, or on the paid plan you can access the content whenever, and from wherever, using the app.

At the time I’m posting this there is currently an offer on the annual plan, which will give you access to learn in your own time, with the option to receive digital certificates for all eligible courses. This is definitely a more affordable cpd option for all levels.

Some great courses available right now include:

• Using the Museum as a site and source for learning.
• Akichi in Collections Management: Perspectives from a Japanese University Museum.
• Dead Interesting: Uncovering Roman Britain in Old Museum Collections
• Object-Based Learning (OBL) in the Cultural Heritage Sector of Aotearoa New Zealand.

2. Museums Association’s Museum Essentials CPD – Free for Individual members.

AD (At the time of this blog I am a Museums Association Members Rep).

MA Individual membership starts from as little as £51 per year, with further discounts and payment options available, monthly it works out to be the cost of a couple of take-out coffees – so a total bargain! The Essentials courses are online and include the following topics:

• Taking Action On Climate Action
• Introducing Decolonisation in Museums
• Supporting Anti-racism.
• Working with the Learning and Engagement Manifesto
• Working with collections
• Working Ethically

MA membership also gives you free and discounted entry to over 900 museums and art galleries across the UK, (see the list here) and access to free members together events. Feel free to drop me a message on instagram if you’re interested in hearing more about MA membership.

The Museums Association have a Members Support fund, which was established to support MA members facing financial difficulties and to provide support for professional development. Find out more about the fund here.

3. Museum Development North Elevenses & Forums – Often Free events, online and in person.

So for this one, I’ve focused on something that’s quite local to myself in the North of England, however Museum Development UK is a network of national museum development providers and practitioners in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which is supported by Arts Council England. It’s well worth checking out your local museum development network, and checking out some of their events. I particularly love that Elevenses events are short 1 hour online sessions, meaning they’re easy to fit into your day.

Museums Development North Offer a bursary of up to £500 for individual CPD activity – find out more about this here

I’ve chosen to feature 3 great value options for CPD in museums and two funds that can help with the cost of further development. Museum training can be pricey, and I love when there’s affordable options available as it allows people to learn about our practice. I hope this blog has helped, keep in touch via instagram @Hannah.Museums and be sure to subscribe for more museum content, including exhibition reviews, and blogs on museum jobs and practice!

If you liked this blog, you might also like my blog about Proactive approaches to volunteering.

H.