The Didactic Workshop Competition at Alicante University Museum (MUA) celebrated its 22nd edition with a public awards ceremony last weekend. In the 2021/2022 academic year, a total of 1,223 students across primary, secondary, and high school levels participated in the program, representing 22 educational centers throughout the province. More than 60 engaging workshops were delivered by MUA educators, weaving together hands on learning, creativity, and critical thinking for young learners and teachers alike.
The awards honored the finest works produced within the training workshops, this season showcasing the talents of 74 participants who stood out for their originality and technical skill. The museum facilitated over 60 workshops with three thematic strands. Two of these focused on the corpography of the collection, offering attendees immersive, multi sensory experiences designed for younger visitors. The third theme centered on the exhibition titled mulier, mulier, which explored various facets of the female experience—from identity and beauty standards to objectification, gender-based violence, and the enduring visibility of women’s contributions throughout history. The overarching aim was to promote and strengthen values of equality, respect, and freedom among participants and the broader community.
Some students observed the works on display this weekend as part of the activity, reflecting a moment when art education connects classrooms with cultural spaces. The engagement was palpable, highlighting how a museum can serve as a dynamic classroom beyond traditional walls.
Leaders of the MUA’s Didactic Field, Remedios Navarro and David Alpanez, commented on the experience: two years after the pandemic disrupted normal schooling, the 2021-2022 academic year resumed with vibrant, face-to-face collaboration. For the Didactic Field team, hosting diverse groups from province schools within the museum environment has become a meaningful source of joy and emotion. Since February 2000, the Didactic Field of MUA has recognized that training workshops are among the most effective means to bring contemporary creation to life, raise awareness, and make it accessible. The team believes art education remains the best vehicle for reflecting on ideas, expressing emotions and feelings, and encouraging personal communication through creative practice. Their driving motivation is to equip participants with practical tools to communicate through art, enabling meaningful dialogue across ages and backgrounds. [citation: MUA press materials, attribution to the Didactic Field leadership]