Playful Museums Festival 27 Update
October 20, 2026While NI Museums have successfully received funding from Enkalon for a series of facilitated Storytime sessions, a significant reduction in our other project funding means that we are no longer able to offer PMF grants for 2027.
For the past 10 years, Playful Museums Festival (PMF) has been delivered by the NI Museums Council in partnership with museums across Northern Ireland. During that time, museums have hosted hundreds of events and activities, welcoming thousands of visitors, many of them first-time museum users. The festival has continually evolved to meet changing audience needs, including adapting programmes for online delivery during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Traditionally, NI Museums Council has supported the festival by providing grants, marketing, photography, resources and training. This work has been made possible through project funding, including support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Art Fund.
In 2027 we received generous funding from a new source, Enkalon, which will allow us to deliver facilitated Storytime sessions.
However, due to a significant reduction in our other project funding this year, we are no longer in a position to offer Playful Museums Festival grants. As a result, the festival will take a different shape in 2027.
What will PMF look like in 2027?
Our focus will shift towards providing a number of facilitator-led sessions for participating museums. Further details on these opportunities, including how to apply, will be announced shortly.
It is important to note that many museums have successfully delivered Playful Museums Festival activities in previous years without requiring direct NI Museums Council funding. We will be encouraging and supporting members to continue developing in house child-friendly and family-focused offers where possible to ensure long term and sustainable changes that are not restricted to February alone and not reliant on external support.
Opportunities for 2027
Museums may wish to consider the following options:
- Apply for NI Museums Council facilitator-led sessions (DEADLINE for EOI 20th November 2026)
- Deliver Playful Museums Festival events independently, using in-house resources or alternative funding sources.
- Promote existing family-friendly offers that do not require additional programming, such as: Children’s trails
Family-friendly café or shop offers
Reduced admission charges for children or families
Reading corners
Play areas
Interactive displays or activities - Apply to the NI Museums Council Local Museums Small Capital Grants Fund to purchase equipment and resources that support family engagement, including: Exhibition equipment
Sensory materials
Loan boxes
Furniture
Step stools
Cameras
Tablets
Other visitor engagement resources (DEADLINE to apply 30th October 2026)
We remain committed to supporting museums in creating welcoming, engaging and playful experiences for children and families, and we look forward to sharing more information about PMF 2027 in the coming months.
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