International Training ProgrammeMuseums Association Conference and Exhibition, Belfast

Conference, exhibition and networking5 to 10 November 2018

BackgroundThe British Museum’s International Training Programme (ITP) has, since 2006, sought to provide opportunities for shared learning, discussion and collaboration between museum and heritage professionals from across the globe. To date, our growing global network now totals 253 fellows from 39 countries and offering opportunities for professional and personal development are a key aspect of the ITP.

The programmeIn November 2018 we would like to invite 5 ITP Fellows to join us at the Museums Association (MA) conference and exhibition, Belfast.

This year’s MA conference - Dissent: Inspiring hope – Embracing change – will focus on having the courage to challenge traditional thinking to transform museums and society. Belfast 2018 will showcase inspiring work from across the world that places museums at the heart of their communities and transforms people’s lives.

The conference will ask the following questions:-

How can museums foster radical ideas that defy the norm? Which networks and individuals develop these ideas and how can we ensure that their

voices are heard and valued in our work? Who are the dissenters from outside museums that can provoke, inspire and challenge us? What role all museums can play standing with their communities as they encourage activism

and promote positive social change? How dissenting can museums be, particularly those that are supported by public funding? Does dissent always lead to positive change and transformation? How should museums represent dissenting voices that challenge values such as diversity,

equality and inclusion?

There will also be the opportunity to spend time in the three sites that make up the National Museums Northern Ireland and reflect the creativity, innovation, history, culture and people of Northern Ireland and beyond.

Ulster Museum which tells the unique human story of this part of Ireland and is home to a vast array of art, historical artefacts and specimens from the natural world.

Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, a museum of two distinct parts. The first, an experience of life over 100 years ago. The second, one of the most comprehensive transport collections in Europe.

And Ulster American Folk Park, an exploration of the human drama behind emigration from the thatched cottages of Ulster to the new world homesteads of the American frontier.

There will be a maximum of 5 places for this opportunity to enable productive discussions, networking and potential collaborations with places awarded through an open and competitive application process. Our briefWithin the ITP network, the event will reaffirm existing relationships made during the Summer Programme and externally, it hopes to increase the potential of the Programme. It will offer further opportunities to exchange knowledge, skills and experiences as well as helping selected ITP fellows and their institutions to continue to develop new skills and experiences. It will also create networking opportunities with the hope of stimulating potential future collaborations.

The scheduleThe conference and exhibition will take place on Thursday 8 to Saturday 10 November 2018. Visits to museums, galleries and sites in and around Belfast will take place on Monday 5 to Wednesday 7 November 2018. Participants will fly into Belfast on Saturday 3 November and leave Sunday 11 November 2018.

The British Museum will cover visas, flights, accommodation, subsistence, insurance and local UK travel.

Your applicationIf you would like to apply, please complete the form attached and return it to itp@britishmuseum.org by midday on Friday 1st June 2018.

Please ensure you have the permission of your institution/employer to attend this programme.Also please note that, if required, you will be responsible for applying for a valid visa to visit the UK (including passport renewal if necessary).

If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact Rebecca Horton (rhorton@britishmuseum.org) or Claire Messenger (cmessenger@britishmuseum.org): we will be happy to help, advise and provide more information!