Episode 4: Why Arts? - Museum Education with Nicola Wallis

In episode 4 of Why Arts?, I’m joined by Nicola Wallis, who spent 19 years as a Practitioner Research Associate in Early Childhood and Collections at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and has recently transitioned into her new role as Early Years Program Manager at the National Portrait Gallery, London.With a background in primary and nursery education, Nicola specialises in understanding how museums and art galleries can support babies, young children, and the adults who care for them. Her work focuses on creating meaningful, inclusive arts experiences—particularly for families facing barriers to participation—and on the role of cultural institutions in advancing access, inclusion, and social justice.We talk about museums as informal learning spaces that foster inclusion, dialogue, and community, particularly for families who face barriers to accessing arts and cultural institutions. Nicola reflects on research-informed models for working with families, emphasizing learning with children rather than for them, and how museums can act as civic spaces that support care, belonging, and multiple perspectives.🎧 Why Arts? Find Emergent Inquiry Studio on YouTube and Spotify.📲 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whyarts_wnanvi?igsh=aHRkYWhuMHB2MWVz&utm_source=qr#WhyArtsPodcast #EarlyChildhood #MuseumLearning #ArtAndImagination #FamilyEngagement #InclusiveEducation #CulturalLearning #SocialJusticeThroughArts