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A painting of two children riding a bicycle.
A painting of two children riding a bicycle.
A painting of two children riding a bicycle.

Children's Cultural Heritage at Museums

3 credits
How are children made visible at museums? This distance course provides tools to analyse how children are represented and engaged within cultural heritage institutions – and how museums can work in more inclusive ways.

Children's Cultural Heritage at Museums, 3 credits

Autumn 2026, Half-time, Distance

Children's Cultural Heritage at Museums, 3 credits

Spring 2027, Half-time, Distance

Children’s own experiences, life stories and cultural production are rarely collected, preserved or displayed at museums and other cultural heritage institutions. This course takes its starting point in research on children and cultural heritage and introduces the concept of children’s cultural heritage as an analytical and theoretical tool.

The course explores whether and how children are nonetheless made visible in museum collections, exhibitions and educational practices, and examines the consequences of different forms of representation.

Representation, ethics and museum practice

The course addresses political and ethical issues related to the representation of children in archives and museums, as well as how museums engage with children as visitors. Central themes include participation, power and inclusion.

A key component of the course is an individual analysis of a self-selected museum. This analysis forms the basis for joint discussions and a written assignment.

For those interested in children, culture and museums

The course is aimed at those who work in or study cultural heritage, museums, education, design, communication, or issues related to children and young people. It is also suitable for anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of children’s roles in culture and society. No prior knowledge is required.

Distance-learning course with an analytical focus

Teaching takes place online and consists of lectures, seminars and group discussions. The course is offered at half-time and combines self-study with scheduled digital sessions. The language of instruction is English.

Course syllabus

The course provided new insights

When Katarina Lindh heard about the course Children's Cultural Heritage in Museums, her curiosity was immediately sparked.

The course focused on children's representation in museums and how children experience museums as visitors – a topic she had never reflected on before, but which quickly proved to be both relevant and thought-provoking.

What made the course especially memorable was its practical approach. Instead of only engaging with theoretical material, a physical visit to a museum was required in order to carry out the analysis. This combination of theory and practice created a completely different dynamic in the learning process. “It was a lot of fun,” Katarina shares, “because the knowledge and material didn’t just come from books – we got to experience it on site.”

The course offered engaged teachers, interesting content, and a structure that truly captured the participants’ attention. For Katarina, it became a holistic experience that not only provided new insights but also sparked a more critical eye for how children are portrayed in public spaces. “I’ve gained increased awareness,” she says, “and that’s something I’ll benefit from both in my studies and in life.”

Recommending the course to others is a given for Katarina. She describes it as both enjoyable and enriching, and would gladly participate again if the opportunity arises. “I warmly recommend everyone to sign up – this is a way of learning that truly makes a difference.”

I have gained increased awareness and critical thinking.
Katarina Lindh, Student
A woman smiling while holding a cell phone to her ear.
Katarina Lindh

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