Hands On! International Association of Children in Museums was founded 1996 as the European advocate and umbrella organization for children-dedicated museums and programs. Currently having 120 member intitutions. As organizers of the only European children-focused museum conference (biennial), the international children in museums award (annually), reports and newsletters, it reaches museum professionals in over 50 countrie.
We are a non-profit, non-governmental network association presented by a voluntary board, committed to the professionalization of all museums that welcome children and young audiences as well as to the role and significance of both collecting and non-collecting museums, science centres and similar organisations.
We aim:
- To represent European as well as non-European organization to create a world-wide network
- To be a resource for organizations serving the learning needs of children and families
- Leverage the collective power of the field.
