A new cutting-edge initiative began on Thursday afternoon at mima involving our Year 9 and 10 students in which they are being trained as gallery guides.

A new cutting-edge initiative began on Thursday afternoon at mima involving our Year 9 and 10 students in which they are being trained as gallery guides.

Claire Pounder, of Mima education department explains how the gallery wishes to 'use current exhibitions as a vehicle for creative enquiry, placing learning at the heart of gallery education, drawing on imagination and wonderment,' and encourage learning through discussion.

The Macmillan students will become experts at the gallery and it is hoped that they will learn to lead discussions, ask questions and reflect on the ways that the art works displayed link to themes, concepts and broader philosophical questions.

As part of this experience, they will have the opportunity to work alongside artist educators, artists and gallery staff and they will be encouraged to think critically about the processes of communication, including body language, neuro linguistic programming and language choices.

Following the sessions with staff and artists, students will then spend time leading conversations with gallery visitors allowing them to be equal participants within conversations in a public space.