Digital Futures training programme

Image of the Digital Futures 'Interactive Stories' training session

Museum Development Officers run training programmes and provide one-to-one support for museums right across London

In 2018 - 2022, the Digital Futures Programme will excite the London museum sector with the possibilities of digital technologies and digital engagement. Through the training programme, London Museum Development will deliver at least 12 courses each year aimed at developing the digital skills of London's museums. These courses have been designed and tailored for London's museums, based on the feedback from our Training Needs Analysis of the London non-national museum sector (PDF 690kb, opens in new tab). The programme has also been influenced by the findings of the Mendoza Review, Culture is Digital and Digital Culture 2017 reports.

The Digital Futures training programme will take a modular approach, with sessions focused on social media and marketing, digital content creation and digital 'back of house'. Each module will start with a briefing session which will focus on the different skills and literacies needed for museums within each module. You can download a calendar for 2018 - 2019 to see when we will be delivering each module and the types of courses on offer (PDF 354kb, opens in new tab). You can apply for a place on these courses below, or directly through our booking form.

Digital Futures training sessions

Leading a digitally literate museum
Friday 30 November, 10am - 4.30pm
Museum of London, London Wall

The opportunities around digital culture can be huge but it’s a fast-changing, multi-layered environment that is a challenge for many museums to exploit. A thriving, successful museum needs a digitally literate workforce that understands the ways in which digital technologies, content and culture can best serve their mission. This one-day workshop for museum leaders will combine strategy, theory and expert insight with practical advice and peer support. This workshop is provided as part of Culture24’s Arts Council England-funded Sector Support programme and is provided in partnership with London Museums Development. For more information, please download a full course outline (PDF 192kb, opens in new tab). Please use our online form to book a place.

Digital storytelling with a collections focus
Friday 07 December, 10am - 4.30pm
Museum of London, London Wall

Is your museum making the most of its digitised collections content online? Finding the right channel, tone, voice and techniques to reach and connect with audiences online isn’t easy. The workshop is rooted in practicalities but brings in strategic considerations too. We’ll look at mission, identity and purpose; explore the specific tensions and challenges that digital storytelling with collections content brings and also focus on the many advantages that museums and collections have in this space.We’ll share a wide range of examples from museums, galleries and beyond, looking at social media, websites and other platforms. We’ll give you plenty of food for thought, practical tips and ideas to take away and try. Our workshops are friendly and informal, encouraging active learning and plenty of discussion. This workshop is provided as part of Culture24’s Arts Council England-funded Sector Support programme and is provided in partnership with London Museums Development. For more information, please download a full course outline (PDF 176kb, opens in new tab). Please use our online form to book a place.

Introduction to Rights Management
Wednesday 30 January, 2019
Museum of London, London Wall

This session will provide an introduction to the sometimes daunting world of rights management. Together we will explore intellectual property rights (IPR), in particular works protected by copyright. The session will offer an overview of copyright and its implications for museums, their audiences and collections. We will discuss basic principles including ownership, duration, obtaining and recording permissions, risk management and orphan works, as well as how to apply the Spectrum 5.0 Rights Management procedure within your organisation. A full course outline will be made available shortly. Please use our online form to book a place.

Understanding online audiences
Tuesday 5 February 2019, 12 – 4pm
Museum of London, London Wall

This session, delivered by Chris Unitt, Founder of One Further, will provide an introduction to using digital analytics and user testing within the setting of a museum or gallery. Participants will learn how to collect data and insights using tried and trusted methods, and free and low cost tools. Participants will be able to use this improved understanding of their online audiences to improve communications, website user experience, and more. For more information, please download a full course outline (193kb, opens in new tab). Please use our online form to book a place.