What sort of museum activities would young people like to attend with their class? What would young people like to talk about, but don’t always have the time or space for? “uŻYJ muzeum” is a programme of activities that pupils have prepared together with us, suggesting the topics themselves. Now they’re inviting their peers to join in!
In 2026, we are offering the first 30 classes free access to selected activities (read below!). The project is being carried out in partnership with the PZU Foundation.
“uŻYJ muzeum” is an idea for an unconventional form period in a new setting. Or for a lesson in a different subject that’s quite unlike the usual one. The creators of our new activities believe that art is a great inspiration for conversations about what matters most: it has a special power to spark discussion and the exchange (or change) of views, it allows us to better understand ourselves and others in a safe way, and it provokes reflections that no one had anticipated before. See how it works for you!
The “uŻYJ muzeum” sessions are the result of a project in which we invited five groups of young people from different schools to collaborate (HERE you can read more about it). The students suggested topics they consider important for people their age and, together with us, prepared lesson plans. Sets of materials and props were created, which can be used to run sessions in one of the MNK’s three permanent galleries.
A sense of agency, independence and giving a voice to young people were key to the project. And these are just as important in the new sessions, to which we are now inviting other groups. That is why these are self-guided sessions – because we want to hand the initiative over to the participants, give them scope for action and a sense that they have a say in what they are taking part in. The sessions are focused on practice, action and direct experience. They do not provide comprehensive knowledge on a given topic, but encourage personal reflection, discussion, asking questions, testing one’s own skills and stirring emotions.
Each group will approach them in their own way, reach their own conclusions, and value different elements. And that’s great! We want the sessions to adapt to the group’s needs, not the other way round.
The activities are self-guided – they are not led by a museum educator. You will work independently using the set of materials and props provided on site. We therefore recommend that you familiarise yourself in advance with the instructions we have prepared and provided below, which explain all the relevant organisational details and will help you get to grips with the proposed format of the activities.
Via the Information and Booking Centre, tel. 12 433 57 44 (extension: 2), Mon–Fri: 9.00–16.00; email: rezerwacja@mnk.pl. Courses are available from 17 November 2025. Bookings can be made from 1 November 2025.
Tickets cost 1 zł per person. On Tuesdays (free admission day), the sessions are free of charge.
For pupils in Years 7 and 8 of primary and secondary schools.
The maximum group size is 30.
How can you help someone in a difficult situation? What are some ways to develop empathy and communication skills? Can art help us to better understand emotions – our own and those of the people around us?
During the session, you’ll take on acting roles to explore, in a practical way, how we react to difficult situations and how we communicate. The inspiration will, of course, be art – a certain impassive stone head and a disturbing photograph of a burning tree. Your focus will be not only on the power of words, but also on gestures, facial expressions and postures.
You’ll have the chance to interpret works of art in your own way, seeking out those that best reflect the emotions you experience in your daily lives. You’ll look closely not only at paintings and sculptures, but also at one another – there’ll be plenty of time simply to exchange a kind word.
Why is it worth it?
Scriptwriters:
Students from the MNK Matejko State Secondary School of Fine Arts in Nowy Wiśnicz: Gabriela Adamczyk, Jagoda Dekert, Aleksandra Małyszek, Aleksandra Mruk, Julia Sarad, Matylda Krzywda; supervision: Ewelina Bochnak-Wojtanowicz
MNK coordination: Aleksandra Jaremko, Education Department
Graphic design and production of materials: Sylwia Siudak-Bielecka
Do we feel comfortable with our own appearance? Is there a single definition of beauty when it comes to the human body? Who or what currently sets the standards and norms, and does this influence how we perceive ourselves and our bodies? In what situations does ‘appearance matter’, and when does it cease to be important?
Ancient culture and art created an ideal of beauty that was clearly linked to the human body’s appearance. It became a subject of celebration and philosophical reflection. The human body remains at the centre of cultural interest today, particularly in popular culture. During the session, you will reflect together on the pros and cons of this. Through simple workshop exercises, you will discover that the ‘ideal of beauty’ can mean something different to everyone, and that diversity is the driving force behind your senses and emotions. The session will give you the opportunity to reinterpret popular beliefs, share your conclusions and play with “body language”, in which there is also room for laughter.
Why is it worth it?
Scriptwriters:
Pupils from the MNK Matejko High School in Wieliczka: Patrycja Bach, Weronika Kaja, Nadia Krzyśkiewicz, Małgorzata Marciniak, Olivia Pająk, Emilia Synowiec, Emilia Tylek; supervision: Melania Gurgul
MNK coordination: Jagoda Gumińska-Oleksy, Education Department
Graphic design and production of materials: Sylwia Siudak-Bielecka
Why is accepting ourselves as we are so important to us, regardless of our age? What does it involve? Did people in the past, without ‘apps’ and smartphone filters, face similar dilemmas to those we face today? Finally, what do the works of art we know from art books and school textbooks have to do with this?
During the session, you will work in the gallery space in groups and individually. This will be an opportunity for reflection, sharing observations and discussion. You will try your hand at uncovering hidden messages in works of art. You will look for key concepts related to the theme in relation to the exhibits on display in the gallery. You’ll learn about the history of three paintings that present different approaches to the theme, yet are close to the present day, before finally engaging in a creative exercise. You’ll be guided, of course, by the works of outstanding artists—both well-known and those who are perhaps less familiar.
Why is it worth it?
PLEASE NOTE! We kindly ask that you do not reveal the name of the lesson topic to the participants before the session, as it serves as a clue to be discovered.
Script authors:
Pupils from Tadeusz Kościuszko Primary School No. 2 in Wieliczka: Blanka Kędys, Paweł Karkosz, Julian Kowalski, Barbara Jędrzejewska, Nina Klimczak, Wiktoria Wojnarowska, Martyna Wojnarowska, Marcin Mazur, Bartosz Jurecki; supervision: Iwona Jarosik
MNK coordination: Anna Orzeł, Education Department
Graphic design and production of materials: Sylwia Siudak-Bielecka
Czy zwiedzanie wystaw muzealnych może przynieść nam oddech i reset? Czy dzieła sztuki potrafią pomóc nam przepracować w głowie niedające spokoju thoughts? Might we feel like discussing what the paintings and sculptures bring to mind? Do we need to be art connoisseurs to enjoy art?
You’ll walk through four gallery rooms, listen to music, tune into yourselves and each other, play an ‘emotions bingo’ game, gaze at colours and shapes, and imagine how you’d feel if you were the paintings and sculptures of contemporary art. You’ll discuss, and perhaps even argue a little.
Why is it worth it?
Scriptwriters:
Pupils from the MNK Wyspiański No. 1 School of Fashion in Kraków: Martyna Kozakowska, Patrycja Kuśmierkiewicz, Mateusz Warchoł, Katarzyna Krzyściak, Anastazja Kmita, Paulina Szczyrbak, Vanessa Stachowska, Weronika Mrożek, Sabina Wcisło, Jagoda Chudziak, Zuzanna Rymarczyk; supervised by: Magdalena Klasa
MNK project lead: Katarzyna Mrugała, Education Department
Graphic design and production of materials: Sylwia Siudak-Bielecka
Can art serve as a space for expressing freedom? How do artists’ works speak to its absence, and should they always do so? Is freedom also licence?
The sessions will provide an opportunity to express your thoughts on the theme of freedom through the works of Rafał Malczewski, Andrzej Wróblewski, Jarosław Modzelewski, Wilhelm Sasnal and Krzysztof Bednarski. You will have the chance to work individually and in groups, and in some cases, chance will decide for you. You’ll debate arguments, reflect on what gives you a sense of freedom today, and consider whether the lack of it is always a limitation.
Why is it worth it?
Scriptwriters:
Students from the Powstańców Śląskich No. 1 Electrical School Complex in Kraków: Franciszek Drozdek, Jakub Kasprzyk, Bartosz Rudnicki, Filip Wnęk; supervised by: Agnieszka Samborek
MNK facilitators: Katarzyna Maziarz-Górka, Education Department
Graphic design and production of materials: Sylwia Siudak-Bielecka
Guidance for Teachers
1. The lesson plans are based on a number of interactive tasks that you will carry out using the props provided within the exhibition space. All the necessary materials can be found in a special trolley available for hire on site. The instruction booklet is key – it will guide you through the entire session. As you read the instructions, you will carry out the tasks in the designated rooms, drawing inspiration from the specified works of art. The enclosed map will help you find them.
2. Please note that some of the artworks mentioned in the scenario may be temporarily absent from the gallery. Artworks are sometimes loaned to other exhibitions or undergo conservation in specialist museum workshops. If this happens, we apologise for the inconvenience – but rest assured that even without a single specific object present, you can still run a fully rewarding session.
2. The activity guide is intended to be read aloud. At the start of the session, choose a person who will be responsible for reading the instructions, and consequently for keeping track of time, handing out props, and motivating the group when necessary. This person could be the teacher, but we encourage you to try entrusting this role to a pupil – especially if there are people in the group who have a natural leadership spirit, are confident and organised. They will certainly thrive in this role. In the instructions, you will also find the necessary guidelines and supplementary questions – everything you need to run the session.
3. A good atmosphere is important during the session. For the young people who prepared the lesson plans, it was important that the groups using them felt comfortable and safe in the museum. So that during the session there is space for free expression (or the right to remain silent), discussion in an atmosphere of mutual respect, and enjoyable collaboration. Without pressure to possess knowledge or give ‘correct’ answers. Teachers – please tell your group about this! 🙂
4. We have allocated 90 minutes for the session – including time to read the instructions and move around the gallery. Don’t worry, though, if things go faster or slower than expected – you can shorten or extend the time to suit your needs. It’s fine if you decide to skip any of the suggested tasks.
1. The sessions cover topics suggested by the young people who wrote the scripts. They largely deal with ‘real-life’ issues close to young people’s hearts (but to older people’s too :)). Works of art serve as inspiration and a starting point for discussing these issues. You do not need specialist knowledge of art history or history to run the lessons – nor is it advisable to introduce such knowledge into the lessons beyond what is provided for in the lesson plan.
2. However, if as a teacher you wish to feel more confident and learn more about the gallery and the artworks featured in the lesson plan, we encourage you to make use of the additional materials we have prepared:
3. The additional materials can serve as inspiration for preparing a lesson at school to summarise the museum visit.
1. Upon arrival at the museum, please go to the ticket office to collect your tickets and inform the staff that you wish to hire a trolley containing props for the “uŻYJ muzeum” activity (please be sure to specify which theme you are using). You will find the trolley in the following locations:
Take the trolley with you into the gallery (don’t worry, it has wheels and a comfortable handle) – to reach the upper floor, take it in the lift. After the session, return it to the same place. Remember not to leave the trolley unattended in the gallery – keep it with you.
2. The set of props for the session is entirely reusable; subsequent groups will use the same items – therefore, all parts must be put back into the trolley after the session. Please also remember that you must only write on the dry-erase boards using the washable markers included in the set.
3. Please tidy up the props after the session and leave them ready for the next group to use: put smaller items back into their respective bags, wipe the whiteboards clean, and screw the caps back on the markers. Please also check that none of the set’s items have been left behind in the gallery.
4. Please remember to observe the necessary safety rules. In the gallery, do not touch the exhibits, do not run, and behave in a way that does not disturb other visitors (do not shout, do not make excessive noise, do not block the aisles). At the MNK Sukiennice, do not cross the line of brown tiles running along the walls. Please follow the instructions of the exhibition staff. Leave rucksacks, large bags and coats in the cloakroom.
In 2026, we are offering the first 30 classes free access to selected activities. This project is being carried out in partnership with the PZU Foundation.
Bookings can be made from 16 March 2026 by emailing: rezerwacja@mnk.pl or by phone: +48 12 433 57 44
When making a booking, please provide:
Please note that the booked activities are self-guided – they are not led by a museum educator.
The class works independently using a set of materials and props provided on site.
Booked activities must be completed by 29 November 2026.
