Group for Education in Museums

The Group for Education in Museums:
- promotes education as a core function of museums
- encourages the exchange of information, ideas and research relating to the practice of museum education
- fosters the highest standard of educational practice
- promotes the role of museums in formal and informal learning
- promotes professionalism in the educational work of museums


Who belongs to GEM
GEM membership is open to all those interested in advancing learning through museums and galleries. Members are working in museums and galleries, country houses, heritage sites, urban and countryside interpretative centres, science centres, schools and universities, and they may be full-time educators or other staff with an educational role. They interpret the environment, sites and collections in a wide variety of ways, promoting and exploiting their full potential as learning resources.

What GEM does

- GEM works closely with relevant organisations such as the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and the Museums Association.
- GEM liaises with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport; the Department for Education and Skills; Area Museum, Library and Archive Councils; Engage; ICOM, CECA and other appropriate bodies.
- Locally GEM helps members to establish partnerships with other education providers through advice and dissemination of good practice.
- Above all, GEM membership offers an excellent informal network and support system for museum educators and for museum professionals involved in education work.

Continuing Professional Development
GEM provides training opportunities through:

- an annual conference focusing on a particular current education theme
- a programme of training days throughout the UK
- regular area meetings that explore relevant issues and developments and encourage networking

Publications
GEM produces a variety of publications including

- JEM - the annual Journal of Education in Museums
- Case Studies - a twice yearly publication in magazine format
- GEM e-News - a monthly email newsletter sent to members
- Museum Education Bibliography

Who runs GEM
The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for policy, annual budgets, and financial and professional probity. There are six elected and up to three co-opted trustees.

Area Groups are independent associations affiliated to GEM which pursue the same objectives as GEM. They represent geographical areas and have regular meetings that explore relevant issues, provide CPD and encourage networking.

Administrative support for GEM is provided by GEMSO - the GEM Support Office. Find out more at the GEM website: www.gem.org.uk