The Glucksman recognised internationally for best online activity for families during lockdown

The Glucksman has been recognised internationally as one of six museums worldwide to be nominated for an award that champions innovative outreach during the Covd-19 pandemic.

The Glucksman is one of six museums internationally to be shortlisted for the Best International Digital Activity category of the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award From Home, earning recognition with counterparts from the Netherlands, Singapore, and the USA.

The London-based charity Kids in Museums has run the annual awards for the past 15 years, recognising the most family friendly heritage sites in the UK.

This year, the charity asked families and museums to vote for what they thought was the best online activity for families during lockdown. For the first time, this included an international category.

A panel of museum experts whittled down over 400 nominations to a shortlist of 26 museums.

The Glucksman was recognised for its Creativity at Home initiative which encouraged families to make art using materials easily found at home.

Daily activity sheets and video tutorials provided ideas and direction for people during lockdown and the Glucksman team were online on social media to encourage participation and celebrate the artworks created.

Director of the Glucksman, Fiona Kearney, said that she was “thrilled” to see the work of the Glucksman recognised on an international stage.

“University College Cork has a proud tradition of digital innovation and social inclusion. Our small team responded quickly to our museum’s COVID-19 closure to provide families with daily creative activities throughout the pandemic lockdown using materials available around the house,” she said.

Over the summer, family judges will try out all the activities and their feedback will decide a winner and highly commended award for each category. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in October.