Transformers 2017 - 18 applications now open

The programme, run by the Museums Association, which promotes radical change in  museums, will see in the region of 170 mid-career professionals participate across 3  different strands. Each strand is designed to help participants develop innovative ways of  working, influence more effectively and create change for themselves, their colleagues and  their organisations.  If you are a mid-career professional, looking to be an agent for change in museums then you should consider applying for Transformers. Previous Transformers have self-defined ‘mid-career’ broadly, and their roles have ranged  from project officers to more senior leaders. As some general guidance, you will have at least  three years of working in museums, and most importantly have a desire to generate change  and a commitment to professional and sector development.   Do you have a radical idea for change? Transformers: Innovate will give 19 people the opportunity to test out a new or risky  idea or change, through an intensive programme of events, coaching, assessments and  access to micro-funding for a project or professional development. Application deadline: 27 January 2017 Do you believe in the social power of museums? Transformers: Influence is a less intensive programme for a cohort of 130 people, who will attend two learning days, and will culminate in a festival of change. This strand has a fee of £100 to participate, which includes attendance at events and MA membership for  one year. Application deadline: 28 February 2017 Do you believe museums should be more inclusive and encourage diversity? Transformers: Diversify is for people who believe that museums cannot achieve their objectives unless they are founded on equality, diversity and inclusion. 24 mid-career practitioners will attend events and coaching sessions and have access to micro-funding. Application deadline: 28 February 2017 Applications are to be submitted online. You will find lots of information about the three  strands on the Museums Association website, as well as case studies and films from the  previous Transformers.  Please ensure that you read all the supporting materials before submitting your application, and if you would like to talk to someone about your suitability for any of the programme  strands,please contact us on 020 7566 7862, or email Katy Swift.                                                                       “My ‘kit bag’ is brimming with tools I can use to bring others up with me to make our museums the best they can possibly be." Participant, 2015

Jobs Vacancies: Project Assistant - Pitt Rivers Museum Reserve Collections Move Project (6 posts)

Grade 4: £21,220 - £24,565 p.a.

The Pitt Rivers Museum is seeking six Project Assistants for a fixed period to work as part of a team to document, pack and move objects in a significant reserve collection currently housed in a large split-level off-site museum store. The Project Assistants, coordinated by the Team Leader, will be required to participate in the documentation, packing and storage of objects in a safe manner and within the project deadline. The project team will be responsible to the Museum’s senior staff, including the heads of collections and conservation sections, working ultimately to the Museum’s Director and Head of Administration and Finance. The post will be based in a museum store and requires standing, regularly using stairs, and lifting objects and packed boxes. Full details of the post are available in the job description. The essential requirements include experience of working in a museum or equivalent heritage site; understanding, knowledge and experience of handling and packing complex and delicate organic artefacts and familiarity with the principles of museum security, museum storage of objects, museum conservation and handling of museum objects; ability to use critical thinking and independent judgement to interpret objects and information about them against standardised guidelines; and a proven ability to work effectively as part of a team. Currently, there are six posts available. The six posts are fixed-term until 31 December 2017. The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Friday 6 January 2017. Interviews are likely to take place in the week commencing 23 January 2017 with a preferred start date of 13 February 2017. Visit the website for further particulars and to apply

Exhibition: South Africa – Art of a Nation

‘South Africa – Art of a Nation’ runs until 26 February 2017 at the British Museum. It is an exhibition that took more than two years to develop and involved partnerships with 12 institutions in South Africa and 20 contemporary artists. Chris Spring took 9 MEG members round on a curator’s tour on Thursday 8 December. We began in the Great Court standing beside the BMW car painted by the artist Esther Mahlangu in 1991. She was invited to paint BMW’s 12^th art car to celebrate the end of apartheid, and BMW paid for its transport to the exhibition. Esther herself came over to see her work on show, and appears in one of the films of visiting artists made by the British Museum. Another short film shows the car being installed. 

The exhibition home-page has film of artist Lionel Davies with his piece that includes a street map of District 6, and a self-portrait. Mary Sibande’s film interview is also here, describing her ‘Reversed Retrogress’ work in which two women face each other, one representing her grandmother, and another in purple, herself. Purple was the colour of the dye that the apartheid police laced their water cannon with, which was later turned against them. 

The earliest item in the exhibition is a found pebble from Makapansgat with three circular indentations – two eyes and a mouth – collected 3 million years ago.  The exhibition contrasts ancient and new art in really interesting juxtapositions throughout. We loved it…

Thank you to Chris for taking the time to show us round.

Free Workshop: Religion and Heritage on Display

Saturday 4th February 2017, 10.30am – 4.30pm

More and more exhibitions and displays are addressing religion and heritage. These projects are sometimes in museums and sometimes in places of worship, but they all seek to present religion (however defined) to a general public audience. This informal workshop will bring together reports on some of the more recent. The aim will be to enable people involved in new projects to exchange information and ideas.

Venue: Institute of Archaeology, Gordon Square, London, Room 612.

Nearest tubes: Euston / Euston Square.

Format: twenty-minute presentations, with an introduction and time for discussion.

Catering: teas/coffees will be provided, and participants invited to contribute to the cost. Packed lunches can be eaten in the Common Room or lunch obtained locally.

Chairs: Crispin Paine IoA UCL and John Reeve IoE UCL.

Speakers:  the following are confirmed:

·      Keynote: Marion Bowman OU    

·      

       Marius Felderhof: Museum of World Religions project in Birmingham 

·       

       Lucy Trench: Religion in the V&A European galleries.   

·        

      Christopher Ferguson: '5000 Years of Faith' at Auckland Castle  

·      

      Sarah Turner Canterbury Cathedral 

·      

      Rebecca Bridgman Curator of Islamic & South Asian Art and Curatorial Team Leader     Birmingham Museums Trust 'Faith in Birmingham' gallery 

·      

      Gemma Papineau Panacea Museum, Bedford  

Booking and Enquiries: to avoid overcrowding, please let Crispin know if you would like to come. First come, first served!   crispinpaine1@gmail.com

Sponsored by the Heritage Section of the Institute of Archaeology, UCL