The Duchess of Cambridge will visit the Foundling Museum next week to learn about how the facility uses art to engage with young people who have been marginalised by society.
The Foundling Museum commemorates the Foundling Hospital, which was the first children’s charity and public art gallery in the United Kingdom.
“We aim to inspire everyone to make a positive contribution to society, by celebrating the power of individuals and the arts to change lives,” the museum explained on their official website.
The children’s charity now operates under the name Coram and was established in 1739.
During her visit, Kate will visit the ‘Bedrooms of London’ photography exhibition, which “documents the living conditions of London’s most disadvantaged children,” according to Kensington Palace’s press release.
‘Bedrooms of London’ is a collaboration between Katie Wilson, a photographer, and Isabella Walker, a writer who collected the narratives to accompany the photos. It highlights “the damaging consequences for children arising from the shortage of social housing in London” and focuses on “the spaces in which children are sleeping” with first-hand narratives that “offer a poignant insight into the lives and experiences of children living in poverty across London.”
The Duchess will also view photographs taken by students of the ‘Tracing our Tales’ programme at the Foundling Museum, many of whom she met the last time she visited the Museum in 2017.
These students are taking part in a three-year project that provides paid training to care-experienced young adults in the areas of teaching and art skills so that they may be able to lead workshops at the museum as well.
Kate will learn how ‘Tracing our Tales’ has helped these young people with their confidence skills and employment opportunities, as well as join them in a training session on block printing techniques for a workshop at the Museum.
Her Royal Highness last visited The Foundling Museum in November 2017, a day after Harry and Meghan announced their engagement. She gave a rare comment to the media that day, saying that she and Prince William “are absolutely thrilled” by the exciting news of the engagement.
“It’s a really happy time for any couple, and we wish them all the best and hope they enjoy this happy moment.”
