Critical Conversations

Critical Conversations is a new space for young people to come together to explore topics related to museum, culture, heritage and young people's lives.

This October edition is based in the Belonging Gallery - one of our newer galleries that exhibits comic art from creatives from around the world. Each comic tells a story about objects from the collections connected to the artists heritage and culture - pretty much a 180 on how museums have historically exhibited collections - often from a singular, Eurocentric, narrow lens. The prompt this week is to explore  telling stories about objects from the collections that are  the prompt this week is "What role can art play in non-art museums?"

Young people have fed back to us that there needs to be more spaces in the museum for connection and critical, consciousness raising conversations about the collections and politics related to the sector - Critical Conversations is an experimental space for just that.

Suggestions from young people in the space shape future session prompts.

Previous themes have inclued:

• Can Museum's be neutral?
• How do colonial museums decolonise?
• Who and what determines the value of an object?

What you can expect from the space :

• Facilitated group discussions
• Opportunities to meet and connect with new people
• Snacks

The space is for all young people aged 18 - 30 who are interested in discussing topics related to museums, culture and heritage and will be led by Chloe Cousins, Manchester Museum's Social Justice Manager and a mix of Visitor Team staff.