Learning Policy: Curiosity, Creativity and Conversation 2026-2028
Leeds Museums and Galleries (LMG) are leaders within collaborative, sustainable, accessible cultural learning, and creative skills development.
The Learning Policy sets out the LMG values, ethos, direction and approach for Learning. Policy direction is led by the LMG Learning and Access team as cultural learning sector leaders, supported by all LMG staff and volunteers, and encompassing all LMG learning and engagement work, in person and digitally. It is delivered and monitored through the Leeds Museums and Galleries Strategy and action plan, and specifically through the Learning and Access Plan.
LMG Learning work supports wider the Leeds City Council Plan (2026-30), the Leeds Children and Young People’s Plan (2023-28), and Child and Age Friendly Leeds.
Our values
- Equity
We are socially responsible and strive for equity of arts, cultural and heritage access through diverse and authentic representation, inclusive spaces, and accessible programmes. - Creativity
We create sociable, multi-sensory spaces for belonging, play and having fun, where audiences and staff can feel safe and confident to try something new or feel challenged. - Curiosity
We are innovative, experimental and risk taking. We work alongside others to share our learning experiences to support cultural learning, and guide the wider arts and cultural sector, for the future, locally, nationally and internationally. - Robust practice
We are research driven and actively reflective on our processes. We value differences in practices, develop pedagogy, and foster areas of expertise and research. - Collaboration
We will build long term, co-produced, mutually beneficial relationships, locally, nationally and internationally, and work together for the best possible future. - Sustainable
We aim to be ethical and sustainable in our practices towards people, funding and the environment. We work together with kindness, compassion and care.
Our vision for learning
For all the people of Leeds to experience high quality, authentic cultural heritage learning.
LMG Learning and Access team mission
We will collaborate with people and partners to deliver a high quality, authentic cultural learning experiences, where audiences and staff can feel safe and confident to try something new or feel challenged.
Our programmes and audiences
Our cultural learning offer will continue to evolve through reflection on practice, research, inclusion and co-development. We will support and empower the people of Leeds through formal learning for Early Years settings and families; schools, including through the Leeds Curriculum; teachers through curriculum planning, primary school membership, teacher training and MyLearning.org; home educators; inclusive intergenerational family work (including targeted social care provision); FE and HE students and providers; and adults. We will champion and work with SEMH young people (children and young adults with social, emotional and mental health needs); and support disabled and neurodivergent people to gain aspirations and employment skills through Careers for All. We will continue to support the wider cultural learning sector through training, mentoring and research.
Our pedagogical approach
Our learning programmes and research are based on the Leeds Museums and Galleries collections and buildings and their stories. We use place-based, person-centred, object and artwork enquiry based learning to develop critical thinking skills and foster a sense of community. We work intergenerationally where possible, using play and joy to facilitate people to make their own connections and meaning. We work across the real and digital worlds for wider reach, greater accessibility and sustainability.
Our evaluation methodologies
Our approach is based on action research. We will work with people and partners to develop meaningful evaluative tools for programmes, projects and research, including specific evaluative frameworks for formal and informal learning. We use the Arts Council England (ACE) Quality Principles and the Inspiring Learning for All Framework to plan and evaluate our programmes and projects.
Keeping people safe
We all have a safeguarding duty of care towards everyone, especially children and vulnerable adults, accessing our venues and collections.
Leeds Museums and Galleries Policies
Read our policies across our venues, collections and practices.