Museums Association, the oldest museums association in the world, is gearing up for this year’s Museums Association Conference & Exhibition in Brighton, UK, which takes place this October.
Museums Association (MA) is pleased to announce that there is still time to book a place at this year’s conference and exhibition, held at the Brighton Centre from the 3rd – 5th October. It is Europe’s largest event for museums and galleries, and the theme for 2019 is Sustainable and Ethical Museums in a Globalised World.
The conference will explore global issues and the impact they have, both on the sector and further afield, for example, climate change, decolonisation and what role museums should play in the community. It will be hosted by curator and comedian Subhadra Das and will feature a packed schedule of keynotes, educational sessions and networking events, as well as some tours to local attractions.
Keynote speeches
The event includes keynote speeches from environmental and indigenous rights activist Clayton Thomas-Müller and climate activist and lawyer Farhana Yamin on Thursday. Then on Friday, the closing keynote will be delivered by British-Egyptian writer and political commentator Ahdaf Soueif.
The MA AGM will take place during the event, opened by MA president Maggie Appleton. Delegates are also invited to attend the ceremony for the Museums Change Lives Awards. These celebrate museum projects from around the UK which a strong social impact.
Free sessions
As well as the main schedule, the Festival of Change is also taking place, led by Culture Declares Emergency. This will highlight creative answers to the global climate crisis.
For both delegates and non-paying visitors, the free exhibition includes a wide range of seminars, workshops and advice sessions designed to further professional development and introduce practical skills.
The exhibition will feature over 80 leading suppliers from the sector, where attendees will have an opportunity to view the latest products on the market. Exhibitors will also be offering special offers and on-stand demos.
Microsoft will be hosting a session at the event, focused on empowering museums and galleries through digital transformation. As well as this, visitors will be able to meet representatives from the UK’s Department for International Trade.
Networking events
Both the Booth Museum and the Hove Museum will be open for Museum Lates on Wednesday, and then on Thursday, the conference party will be held at the Royal Pavilion and Brighton Museum and Gallery. On Saturday, a range of tours is on offer, where attendees can visit a choice of several popular local venues.
The main keynotes and sessions will also be live-streamed through both the MA’s website and its social channels. The event will be held at the Brighton Centre from the 3rd – 5th October 2019.
