MDN Forum: Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle, Working with Others, 26 February 2026

10:00–15:30 26 February 2026 · Laing Art Gallery

Our museum forums offer you “a professional day out” – a chance to catch up with your museum colleagues, have a tour of a great venue, hear some interesting case studies – and enjoy being out in a different museum with different colleagues!

Forums usually start with tea and coffee from 10am and introductions from 10:30am. A delicious, complimentary lunch is provided. Meetings usually finish around 3:30-4pm.

Every forum will involve a chance to view and discuss at least one aspect of the host site, hear short case studies from different speakers, and network with colleagues.

The theme for the day is Working with Others – be it artists, musicians, actors, freelancers and much more – to learn more about how to develop and build those relationships and the impact this can have on your organisation and the community.

Agenda

10:00-10:15  MDN Welcome & Introduction to the day, Ian Bapty, Museum Development Adviser and Sarah Wilkinson, Events, Communications and Administrative Officer, Museum Development North
10.15-10:45 Morag Iles, Contemporary Arts Curator, Vindolanda Trust, Working with artists to unlock the Vindolanda collection
10:45-11:15 Justine Boussard, Curator and Creative Producer, Unlocking permanent displays with the Amateur Ancestor Project 
11:15-11:45 Comfort Break
11:45-12:15 Michael Betteridge, Composer, Finding your voice: examples of how working with music creators and musicians can animate museums and their collections 
12:15-12:45 Lunch
12:45-13:30 Tour
13:30-14:00 Kate Holden, Learning Officer, North East Museums, Partnerships and Public Programmes at the Great North Museum: Hancock
14:00-15.15 Leila d’Aronville, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Advocacy  and Sam Brimer, Director of Communications & Engagement, North East Cultural Freelancers
15:15-15:30 Closing Discussion, MDN Thanks & Signposting, Ian Bapty, Museum Development Adviser and Sarah Wilkinson, Events, Communications and Administrative Officer, Museum Development North

Whilst we hope there’s something in the plan for the day that appeals to you, we often find that it’s the unexpected and spontaneous conversations that spark most ideas and opportunities! So, join us for a refreshing, professional day out and see what fresh thinking you can gain.

Catering: As part of MD North’s commitment to environmental responsibility and carbon reduction, catering for our in-person events is vegetarian and vegan. We encourage you to bring a reusable hot drink cup and water bottle, and perhaps a Tupperware to take home any leftovers to minimise food waste.

Access: There is level access entry to the gallery on New Bridge Street from the public art piece Blue Carpet. Two sets of automatic doors lead to the reception desk and shop area. To access the gallery from the shop area, there are stairs and a lift.

The Forum meeting will take place in the Function Room on the Mezzanine. It is accessible via lift from the ground floor (lower shop level). It is also accessible via stairs. The seating will be on one level in cabaret style.  Lunch will be served in the meeting room.

The nearest accessible toilet is on the ground floor (within the Marble Hall).

The public passenger lift measures 120cm in length by 170cm width and has a turn on the exit to upper levels. If you use a mobility aid larger than this, self-propelling wheelchairs are available to use. These can be booked in advance of your visit by emailing info@laingartgallery.org.uk or calling the gallery reception on 0191 278 1611.

There are accessible toilets on the Ground and First Floors. There is a toilet on Lower Ground Floor in the shop area and male and female toilets on the Ground Floor.

The nearest Changing Places toilet is across the street at the Newcastle City Library, New Bridge Street West, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8AX.

For more information visit Accessibility Information Laing Art Gallery.

Booking: Please only book if you are committed to attending, so that we give everyone a timely opportunity to book and remove the added paperwork required in dealing with cancellations. If for some reason you can no longer attend, please let us know asap so we can reallocate your place.

For more information, please contact: sue.hughes@museumdevelopmentnorth.org.uk.

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