Hands On! is an international network of museum professionals.
Hands On! International Association of Children in Museums is a non-profit network of museum professionals with its office located in Graz, Austria. Currently the organization consists of approximately 120 members from 40 different countries which range from large organizations to committed individual museum professionals.
We offer different kinds of memberships – find out which one is suitable for you.
Any museum, science center, gallery, similar cultural organization or museum professional with a particular emphasis on children’s programming is welcome to join Hands On!
We strive to make museums and science centers relevant places for children, to professionalize the field of children’s museums and to share our expertise with each other.
We believe museums can play a crucial role in the stimulation of curiosity, creativity and informal, lifelong learning. Museums provide a valuable addition to what children can learn and experience at school or at home.
Hands On! believes that museums should encourage curiosity and imagination in the children who visit them. We recognize the role and significance of both collecting and non-collecting children’s museums. Hands On! is committed to the professionalization of all museums that welcome children. Not only in terms of exhibition design and programmes, but also in financial and personnel management.
Hands On! strives to act as a global leader, advocate and a resource for organizations serving the learning needs of children and families. Our aim is to represent European as well as non-European organizations.
Hands On! has three main goals:
To heighten the awareness, visibility and recognized value of children in museums. For instance by branding museums as relevant places of learning. But also by developing large-scale initiatives – like our Conference and the Children in Museums Award – that leverage the collective power of the field.
To support sustainability of Hands On! members. Such as by collecting statistical data on children in museums, to track existing and emerging trends. But also by providing our members with information on EU funds and projects.
To ensure the future of Hands On! For instance by diversifying our products and services.
We are currently working on this program, restructuring it to offer our community an upgrade!
Hands On! relies on a number of sponsors and benefactors for funding of the Conference and the Children in Museums Award.
Activities 2019-2023
Children in museums award
Become a sponsor or supporter?
We are grateful for their support! Would you like to contribute to Hands On!?