It is a simple but powerful truth that most people care deeply for other people and the places where they live.

But - tragically in our increasingly polarised society - the majority of us underestimate the extent to which our fellow citizens care about these things. Yet when we hold more authentic perspectives of others’ values we are more likely to report deeper connection to our communities, support action on social or environmental challenges, show greater motivation to become engaged in wider, collective actions, and feel higher wellbeing.

As museums and cultural organisations, we are among the most important places where the values of compassion, connection and community may be expressed and strengthened. How might we cultivate these values, and create opportunities for people to express, share and experience them with others? How might this work help address social polarisation and help our communities come together for the common good?

In this workshop, we will draw on learning from work including a year-long project run at Manchester Museum, where these insights fed into to a wide range of initiatives – from changes in volunteer programmes to invitations to donate; from dedicated exhibitions to new social media campaigns. We will explore how we can respond to these insights, and create opportunities tailored to our organisations and our communities.

Previous participants in this workshop said:

“Such an important day, which supplied a real need, [and] ...made me focus on what is important in ways both personal and professional”

“A really enlightening and helpful session, giving a strong support basis for pushing for greater application of altruistic, universalist values in our museum”

An accompanying toolkit for this work is freely available from Common Cause Foundation: Discover and Share - ways to promote positive values in arts and cultural settings.

The workshop will be delivered by:

Hilary Jennings (Happy Museum)

Tom Crompton (Common Cause Foundation)

Vegetarian sandwich lunch included, plus tea and coffee.

(Any dietary or access requirements please pre-notify to happymuseumproject@gmail.com )

We want this event to be accessible. If the suggested ticket price is limiting, please get in touch and if possible we'll work on a suitable solution or concession. happymuseumproject@gmail.com