Strategic Framework

Introduction

The Hands On! Europe Association of Children’s Museums (HO!E) is an international professional organisation representing and advocating for its non-profit member institutions.
Membership ranges from children's museums, to large collection-based institutions dedicated to serving young visitors through a variety of interactive exhibits, to groups that are in the planning phases of opening a children's museum. Membership is also open to corporations, consultants, and individuals, although HOE! does not endeavour to represent the specific interests of these members. HO!E provides its members with information about developments in the field and professional practices. HO!E strives to be an effective voice for children’s museums at a public policy level. HO!E actively stimulates the creation and development of children’s museums and more space for cultural and educational activities for children and young people.

This involves promoting the exchange of exhibitions and working methods between children’s museums. HO!E is committed to the further professionalisation of the field of children’s museums in terms of ethics, code of conduct, exhibition design and purpose, financial and personnel management and facilitates access to and exchange of related information. In so doing, HO!E promotes participation in other similar organisations such as the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM), International Council of Museums (ICOM), and ECSITE among others.

Our Vision

HO!E strives to act as a global leader, advocate and  a resource among organisations serving the learning needs of children and families. Both European and non-European organisations should feel represented. HO!E is an essential link between the increasing number of European and non-European children’s museums and aims to be the leading observatory for trends in informal learning.

Our Mission

HO!E supports the important role of children’s museums as centres which foster curiosity and imagination and where play inspires creativity, informal and lifelong learning. HO!E recognises the role and significance of both collecting and non-collecting children’s museums.
What we value:

1. Diversity of members: we value a broad and varied membership composed of children's museums and museums dedicated to serving children and families non motivated by profit
2. Accessibility: we value diversity and openness to all cultures, families, levels of ability, and social and economic differences
3. Professionalism: we value learning, skills, transparency, research and academic excellence and ethical practice.
4. Networking: we value sharing and exchange amongst our membership and related organisations
5. Collaboration and building partnerships: we value the development of relationships that will advance the field and build efficiency through experience
6. European “community”: we value our common cultural heritage and the common legal and economic system
7. Respect: we value an approach which is always respectful to children, safeguards their wellbeing and promotes their active role in exhibits and programmes
8. Creativity and Innovation: we value the capacity of children’s museums to be creative and innovative.

Our Strategic Goals

1. Heighten the awareness, visibility and recognised value of children's museums:

•  Position and brand children's museums as relevant places of learning and play where children lead process and activity, and influence content.
• Promote the critical role of children's museums as important players in the learning lives of children to funders, educators, business and community leaders, policy makers and the media.
• Serve as a repository for research that demonstrates the value and advances the work of children's museums and their impact on the community.
• Develop large-scale initiatives that leverage the collective power of the field. 

2. Support sustainability of HO!E members: 

• Develop and communicate standards of ethical and professional practice in the field.
• Collect statistical benchmarking data on children's museums in order to track existing and emerging trends.
• Provide information on EU funds and projects.
• Establish partnerships with other relevant organisations. 

3. Ensuring the future of HO!E:    

• Strengthen HO!E's position, services and capacity for growth in order to meet the evolving needs of children's museums.
• Diversify HO!E's products and services, as well as its sources of income, in order to sustain the Association as a valued resource for the children's museum field in the future.