{"id":33791,"date":"2025-12-15T10:10:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T10:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.mnk.pl\/muzeum-obecne-i-uzyteczne\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T08:48:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T08:48:37","slug":"muzeum-obecne-i-uzyteczne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.mnk.pl\/en\/muzeum-obecne-i-uzyteczne\/","title":{"rendered":"Relevant and Useful Museum"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In collaboration with the PZU Foundation, the National Museum in Krakow is implementing new initiatives that will enhance the museum\u2019s educational programme. The project, which is based on audience research and pilot innovative activities, has the potential to serve as a model for other institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project comprises activities aimed at addressing social challenges using museum education tools. We draw on the museum\u2019s collection to increase access to high art for groups with limited opportunities to participate in cultural life. The project consists of initiatives that enhance the well-being and sense of agency of children and young people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diagnosis \u2192 development of solutions \u2192 implementation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project involves researching selected social issues, followed by the development and implementation of tailored educational models. The key objective is to lower barriers to access to museum institutions and to harness the potential of art to develop the social and cultural competences of audiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u2018Museum: Present and Useful\u2019 project is a response to the challenges facing our institution and the entire cultural sector \u2013 challenges clearly outlined in the MNK\u2019s mission: Museum, People, Future<\/strong><\/a>, which focuses on accessibility, collaboration with the local community and sustainable development. The aim of the mission is to create a museum that is open, accessible and socially engaged, taking into account the diverse needs of its audiences, in particular children, young people and those with limited access to culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sustainable development<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The project takes into account the global commitments set out in the UN\u2019s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, addressing four of the seventeen identified goals: Goal 3 \u2013 Good health and well-being: through activities supporting mental and emotional well-being through engagement with the arts; Goal 4 \u2013 quality education: through innovative educational programmes addressing the real needs of the younger generation; Goal 10 \u2013 reduced inequalities: through activities targeting communities with limited access to cultural institutions; Goal 11 \u2013 sustainable cities and communities: by supporting local initiatives and integrating art into the daily life of the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA Museum That Is Present and Useful\u201d aims to participate in the creation and implementation of educational tools, designed in collaboration with representatives from various backgrounds: pupils, teachers, psychologists, educators and researchers. All activities will be preceded by a needs assessment, research and pilot schemes, enabling the development of model solutions \u2013 adaptable and suitable for long-term use both in our museum and in other cultural institutions across Poland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Needs and challenges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The National Museum in Krak\u00f3w is responding to the need to investigate the needs of young people in the context of art museums. To date, no research has been conducted in Poland focusing on the emotional and social needs of young people in the context of their engagement with art, artworks and the museum space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young people rarely perceive museums as places to meet, spend their free time or express themselves. The project component \u2018Presence\u2019 aims to change this perception and present the museum as a space close to young people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through audience research, we will gain new insights into the impact of art on mental wellbeing. Access to reliable data on the impact of engagement with art on the mental health and wellbeing of audiences will help us respond effectively to contemporary crises \u2013 including the growing problem of mental health among young people. The \u2018Here and Now\u2019 component addresses this need through research and knowledge dissemination activities in this area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project will result in increased access to cultural education and training for teachers from smaller towns. The \u201cSztuka tereNOWA\u201d project component aims to level the playing field by providing teachers with tools that will enable engaging and meaningful activities using art in their daily work with children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are responding to the need for active, co-created participation in culture. Contemporary cultural education requires a shift away from the passive role of the recipient towards active participation and the co-creation of content. The \u201cu\u017byj muzeum\u201d project component aims to give young people a voice in the process of designing the museum\u2019s programme, highlighting their competencies and supporting the development of skills essential in the modern world \u2013 such as self-awareness, creativity, empathy and agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An important aim of the project is to strengthen the museum\u2019s role as a socially responsible and research-oriented institution \u2013 making the museum an open, reflective space that responds to contemporary challenges and supports social development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We wish to promote care for well-being and mental health both within the museum and beyond. As part of the project, we propose the creation of tools (including a deck of cards) and a social campaign to support relaxation, mindfulness and self-awareness in engagement with art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project activities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Presence \u2013 research into the young museum audience<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A research project summarising and building on the MNK\u2019s previous work in analysing audience needs. Its aim is to deepen our understanding of the expectations, preferences and ways in which children and young people experience art, with particular emphasis on their experiences and needs regarding museum visits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project also focuses on building the museum team\u2019s capacity to design effective and appropriate educational tools that meet the real needs of young audiences. Activities will be carried out in collaboration with professional research agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project will result in a knowledge base, accessible to the cultural sector, on the impact of engagement with art on visitors\u2019 mental wellbeing, as well as practical recommendations to support the development of museum education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TERENOWA Art \u2013 expanding opportunities for cultural participation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An educational and training project aimed at teachers and pupils from smaller towns where access to high art institutions is limited. The aim of the project is to increase participation in culture by embedding museum content within a local, familiar context and to strengthen teachers\u2019 skills in engaging children with art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use the Museum \u2013 agency, self-awareness, skills for the future<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new range of self-guided educational activities for young people in Years 7\u20138 of primary school and secondary school, created in collaboration with pupils from five schools in Krak\u00f3w and the surrounding area. The sessions address topics important to young people \u2013 such as freedom, wellbeing, the body, self-acceptance and intervention \u2013 and treat art as a starting point for discussions and creative activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here and Now \u2013 Mindfulness, Emotional Regulation, Mental Well-being<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aim of the project is to develop and produce an educational and relaxation tool \u2013 a deck of cards designed to support mindful and reflective engagement with art. The cards are intended to deepen contact with one\u2019s own emotions, develop an awareness of the need for rest, and foster mental well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The set will be developed in collaboration with psychologists and therapists, and each card will contain specific instructions, suggestions for exercises and reflections that can be carried out whilst engaging with a work of art. The tool will be designed to be versatile \u2013 so that it can be used both in the museum and beyond: for example, during lessons, training sessions, personal development or business meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project summary and presentation of results<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The project will conclude with an autumn conference at the National Museum in Krak\u00f3w, aimed at teachers. Its aim is to reflect collectively on the challenges of education and to demonstrate how the museum \u2013 as an open space for collaboration \u2013 can support schools in their day-to-day work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event programme includes presentations by representatives of the museum, youth organisations, and experts in psychology and museum audience research. The event will feature a presentation of the research report produced as part of the project, as well as workshops showcasing the practical solutions and tools developed during the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Educational materials developed as part of the project will be made available online and sent to cultural institutions across Poland. Both the conference and the entire project are accompanied by an information campaign promoting the use of the resources and ideas developed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is being implemented in partnership with the PZU Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n