Jargon, no jargon @ British Museum, London

With a performance, a treasure hunt and a craft activity, this event is designed for adults who are autistic, learning disabled, or have mental health conditions.

Selected galleries at the Museum (Rooms 41–43 and 49–59) will be open from 6pm until 8pm, when the Museum is closed to other visitors.

This event has been designed in collaboration with Synergy, a speaking up group for people with learning disabilities in the borough of Camden, London. They are asking the question: ‘Why do museums use jargon and big words?’

Jargon means words or phrases that may be difficult to understand. Jargon can sometimes create communication barriers.

At the event there will be a performance by Ian Crighton about jargon called ‘Ian the Jargoner’, a treasure hunt to find jargon in the galleries and a craft activity to create your own cuneiform tablets (ancient clay tablets with the oldest known writing). We will also be joined by the curator for Mesopotamia, Nancy Highcock, who will answer all your questions about the history of the objects in the galleries!

About the performer
Ian Crighton lives in London and is a mixed media and installation artist. His art explores how people value different activities, places and objects. He is excited by the British Museum as a place where you can explore language, knowledge ownership and cultural histories.

Generously sponsored by the Lord Leonard and Lady Estelle Wolfson Foundation.