Space for Learning was originally published in 2004 by a consortium including the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Clore Duffield Foundation, Arts Council England, the Department for Education & Skills, the Department of Culture, Media & Sport and others.

Some of the original partners came together with other agencies to produce this new and updated version in 2015. This time around they provided on-line case studies and additional material so that cultural organisations can continue to share best practice and learn from each other and their users. We have also been able to crowd-source some excellent new content from colleagues across the UK who have developed learning spaces in the intervening decade.

There is no single approach, but – as in all things – much can be learnt from those who have trodden the same path before you. There are vital questions to ask along the way. And there are considerations which you ignore at your peril if you want to create the best possible space for your visitors and users. It is in everyone’s interests for all our learning spaces to be the best they can be in any given context. No matter how large or small, new or old, your site, or how limited your resources, there is no reason for you to aspire for your learning space to be anything other than exactly what your users, your colleagues, and your organisation need.

Space for Learning partners

• Dame Vivien Duffield, Chairman, Clore Duffield Foundation
• Sir Peter Luff, Chair, Heritage Lottery Fund
• Sir Peter Bazalgette, Chair, Arts Council England
• Michael Smith, Chairman, The Foyle Foundation
• Dame Theresa Sackler, The Sackler Trust
• Guy Weston, Chairman, Garfield Weston Foundation
• Sir Nicholas Bacon Bt OBE, Chairman, Royal Horticultural Society
• Lesley Butterworth, Interim Chair, engage
• Peter Carne OBE, Chair, Group for Education in Museums
• Bob Collins, Chairman, Arts Council Northern Ireland
• Professor Geoffrey Crossick, Chair, Crafts Council
• Jane Duncan, President, Royal Institute of British Architects
• Greg Dyke, Chair, British Film Institute
• Sir John Sorrell, Chairman, Creative Industries Federation

Image copyright

Every effort has been made to secure permission to reproduce material protected by copyright, and we will be pleased to make good any omissions.