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I'm currently exploring ways to help adults with learning disabilities engage more creatively with museums and galleries. This is part of a project called Access to Art, a collaboration between University of Brighton, Sussex Downs FE College and Carousel (a local voluntary arts organisation). We have been developing more advanced art education opportunities for some of the many talented artists with severe learning disabilities, for whom day centre classes are simply not challenging enough. The project has been extraordinarily productive for everyone involved (including Brighton art students who work collaboratively with the Access to Art students). However, one of the areas we are still trying to develop is the role of historical/critical/theoretical studies, normally a key part of the art curriculum at this level. So far we have managed a very successful study visit to local contemporary art gallery Fabrica and to the Ana Maria Pacheco exhibit at Brighton Museum. However, logistical difficulties and costs are likely to limit the number of visits we can make, so I really like the idea of also using outreach/loan collections. The earlier messages also prompted me to think about extending this to the day centres themselves, as memory - and the chance to construct narratives of their lives - is crucially important to this group of adults. Has anybody out there got any experience of working with adults with severe learning disabilities - either in or outside the museum itself? If you reply to me off list, I will collate any answers and forward to the list later Thank you ---------- Pauline Ridley Centre for Learning and Teaching University of Brighton Falmer Campus Brighton BN1 9PH 01273-643406 Email [log in to unmask] Visit the CLT website at http://staffcentral.brighton.ac.uk/clt -----Original Message----- From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in the UK. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Nicola Holland Sent: 25 June 2004 09:27 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: reminiscence Hi Andrew and Georgia, I'm very keen on the whole idea of reminiscence for the elderly. I'm currently working on an outreach project for Falkirk Museums in Scotland, and one of the services I'm trying to establish is a reminiscence loans scheme. I would be very interested to hear of any advice you have in a) contacts for reminisence trainers, b) any objects/resources that you have found which are particularly effective. In my own evaluations I have found a need for activities particularly for day care centres so I'm also looking into developing some activities that link into the museum collections. Any ideas/practical suggestions very welcome. Many thanks Nicola Holland Access and Outreach Officer Falkirk Council Cultural Services [log in to unmask]