A consortium of 14 partners, including the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Clore Duffield Foundation, has come together to create the publication.  It provides essential guidance on all aspects of designing cultural learning spaces, including practical elements such as furniture storage, technology, lighting, and working with architects.

Carole Souter CBE, Chief Executive of HLF, said: “Even the most beautifully designed and equipped learning spaces need properly trained staff to make them really effective. At the last count, we have funded 800 spaces for learning and more than 1,300 learning officers, three times the number quoted in the original edition of Space for Learning. None of this would have been possible without National Lottery players continuing to buy tickets so we owe them a big thank you.”

Current research shows that learning spaces within cultural and heritage organisations are important with 69% of children visiting a museum, gallery or heritage site every year and most also using learning spaces during that time.

Dame Vivien Duffield, Chairman of the Clore Duffield Foundation, said: “We have funded more than 50 Clore Learning Spaces in museums, galleries, heritage sites and cultural organisations, and we know from long experience how hard they are to get right, and how easy it is to make mistakes with practical details such as sinks, storage and flooring. This new resource is an invaluable ‘how to’ guide, and we are so grateful to all those who have shared their expertise, wisdom and experiences – good and bad – for the benefit of others.”

The Space for Learning handbook is available at the Space for Learning website. Join in the conversation on Twitter: #SpaceforLearning.