Laurie Kilgour-Walsh

Laurie Kilgour-Walsh is the Head of Programs and Learning at the Art Gallery of Hamilton. During her tenure, Laurie has led educational and interpretive programs for audiences of all ages and abilities, creating programs that are responsive to the individual strengths and interests of participants. She is now developing a larger mandate for arts and wellbeing within the AGH’s public program to support diverse audiences with a range of abilities and interests.

Laurie led the inception of Artful Moments, a program for people living with dementia in 2009 and continues to lead it through numerous diverse initiatives in support of best practices in museum-based programs for people whose abilities have changed, with a specific focus on centering the person in all aspects of program planning, delivery, and evaluation.

With a background in fine art and art history, many years spent working in museums, and an eclectic collection of education and professional development experiences, Laurie brings a passion for art and museums, focusing on the socially connective and empowering potential of creative experiences. Laurie is also a practicing artist and an avid museum visitor.

Laurie Kilgour-Walsh will be speaking at the Museums, Health & Well-Being Summit 2025 :

Applying Person-Centred Approaches to Museum programming

Being person-centred in our programs can turn interpretive practice on its head – but by decentering facilitators we refocus our work on the participants and visitors in front of us. This brings empathy, relevance, meaning, responsiveness… and fun to our work. Laurie will share some of the ideas that the Art Gallery of Hamilton uses to put the focus on the people while still sharing the stories and experiences we believe in.