Thirteenth International Conference on The Inclusive Museum

Abstract

Every summer, the Anchorage Museum welcomes children to a hands-on, minds-on summer camp program. Designed to foster imagination and experimentation in art, science and technology, campers learn, play and create through exploring museum objects and resources. When the reality of Covid-19 hit Alaska, the Anchorage Museum closed its doors on March 15, 2020, leaving uncertainty for the programs ahead. With fast-paced, critical and creative thinking, the museum transformed its camp program into a more inclusive and accessible online experience to reach community partners and youth who otherwise would not be a part of our summer camp program. In connection with community organizations and our team of educators, the Anchorage Museum unrolled the same quality education programs in an ‘at home’ environment, truly expanding the museum’s resources and collection outside its walls to children around Alaska and beyond. This lightning talk discusses how this shift allowed the museum to reconsider and transform how we can create more accessible educational programs in a online environment.