Museum Workshop

Wales, Empire and Colonialism

🔍 Discover and Explore

Explore the hidden histories of Wales’s role in the making of the British Empire. From the industries that powered imperial expansion to artworks that reflect both pride and protest in the face of imperial power, learners will explore the breadth of National Museum Cardiff’s collection in this interactive workshop. Learners will discover how colonialism has impacted on societies across the globe and its impact on the natural world. Through objects, stories and creative responses, we’ll examine the complex legacies of empire and how they continue to impact Wales and the wider world today. 

✏️ Take Part

Learners will explore how museums are addressing these complex issues by redesigning a museum display. They will be encouraged to think about what their exhibition will look like, the text they will use and the colonial histories portrayed through the objects.

ℹ️ About This Session

This workshop discusses themes of racism, slavery and colonialism. Please let us know when you are booking if you have any pupils that would be sensitive to these experiences, and we will do our best to make everyone feel comfortable!

Duration: 1 hour
Cost: Led by Museum staff - £40 for up to 15 pupils, £60 for up to 35. Free for some schools (see booking information).

Curriculum

Expressive Arts 

  • Exploring the expressive arts is essential to developing artistic skills and knowledge and it enables learners to become curious and creative individuals. 
  • Responding and reflecting, both as artist and audience, is a fundamental part of learning in the expressive arts. 

Health and Well-being 

  • How we process and respond to our experiences affects our mental health and emotional well-being. 
  • Our decision-making impacts on the quality of our lives and the lives of others. 

Humanities 

  • Human societies are complex and diverse, and shaped by human actions and beliefs. 
  • Informed, self-aware citizens engage with te challenges and opportunities that face humanity and are able to take considered and ethical action. 

Science and Technology 

  • Being curious and searching for answers is essential to understanding and predicting phenomena. 
  • The world around us is full of living things which depend on each other for survival.
A person looking at a grand eighteenth century portrait in National Museum Cardiff
A display of colourful parrots with attached museum labels
DARPL written in large, light blue letters
National Museum Cardiff

Booking information

To make a booking and talk to someone about this session phone (029) 2057 3240 or email educationmail@museumwales.ac.uk