Museums have become contested places, engaging with discussions on issues such as access and inclusiveness, funding, multiculturalism, major exhibitions and the narration of history. Most museums try to use their collections to tell stories that reflect a broad view of culture and history for some, however, it can form a contentious issue. This conference will discuss how a fresh view of heritage and history can encourage museums to depart from tradition and embrace new ways of thinking, working and developing ideas.
Key presentations will be given by Professor Nigel Rolfe (Royal College of Arts,
Speakers on heritage in landscape, public sculpture and representations of repression in museums include Professor Liam Bannon (University of Limerick); Dr. Linda Ballard (Ulster Folk and Transport Museum); Dr. Paula Murphy (University College Dublin); Suzanne Bardgett, (Imperial War Museum); and Professor Patrick Duffy (National University of Ireland Maynooth). Discussions will be chaired by Dr. Margaret O’Callaghan (Queen’s University Belfast), Professor Mary Daly (University College Dublin), and Dr. Elizabeth Crooke (
The conference will include visits to the Walls of Derry, Apprentice Boys Museum,The Museum of Derry, Tower Museum and The Guildhall.
Everyone associated with museums and galleries understands how important it is to display and interpret the shared histories and common heritages of this island. These issues will be addressed at the 2009 Irish Museums Association Conference in
Congratulations on putting up a blog for the Conference. I hope it has a long and happy life.
ReplyDeleteI'd also like to say what a wonderful agenda you have on. When I read the blurb on the programme I felt immediately drawn to Derry. Unfortunately I can't be with you but I'm going to follow things on here.
Especially the promise...
"a fresh view of heritage and history can encourage museums to depart from tradition and embrace new ways of thinking, working and developing ideas."
That's just what we need. I have a young daughter who's 3. I want her to love museums a lot more than I did. I want her to see the museum as an alive place where she's engaged, captivated and inspired. Where the past is present for her... where she can make her plans for the future and imagine what they'd look like presented in a museum for all.
I love contested places. We are contesting beings. We all could do with having our contesting skills honed.