Museum Partnerships
Conference 3 December 2009
European Capital of Culture 2008 gave a huge lift to tourism in Liverpool providing a vital boost to the city's economy. 'Beyond Capital of Culture: a new dawn for tourism in Liverpool' is a conference discussing the way forward and the need to build on this momentum as Liverpool continues to promote itself as a visitor destination.
A number of high profile speakers from the region's tourism and transport sector are confirmed for the event on 3 December 2009, including National Museums Liverpool's director, David Fleming. For the full programme and booking details visit the event website.
20 October 2007 to February 2008
Walker Art Gallery and Lady Lever Art Gallery
'Ascension', 2007, video still based on 'Punishment of Lust' from the Walker Art Gallery.
Contemporary art interventions at the Walker Art Gallery and the Lady Lever Art Gallery in partnership with Bury Art Gallery, Museum & Archive, (10 November 2007 - 23 February 2008), The Collection & The Tennyson Research Centre at Lincoln and Leeds Art Gallery.
Artists Phil Sayers (UK) and Rikke Lundgreen (Norway) reconstruct famous historical paintings and sculptures, examining themes of gender, life, death, myth and identity in past and contemporary society. This project takes a fresh look at historical collections and the buildings that house them.
On the 13th November 2008 we screened the films 'Portrait Croises' created to celebrate Quebec's 400th anniversary and Liverpool's Capital of Culture year. The films were produced by Toxteth TV and the Institut National de L' Image et Du Son (INIS) and gave young film makers from each city the opportunity to explore the culture of the cities.
Toxteth TV sent filmmaker Jerome Mangaroo to Quebec and he made 'Carving a Tradition', inspired by Simon Bruneau, a traditional violin maker.
Quebecois filmmakers Marie Claude Bherer and Eric Deschenes made 'Blue Note' on the life and experiences of Ritchie Barton, who worked on the Cunard ship liners from UK to North America.
The films were screened in Quebec on the 24th of November 2008.
Painted Bowl from Iran, 12th - 13th century
The review of the Islamic ceramic collections of the World Museum Liverpool as part of the Effective Collections Scheme was completed in summer 2008. The collection has come from a variety of sources, including donations by private collectors and purchases from major museum in the Islamic world. Significant acquisitions came in the early 20th century notably in 1919 from the Arab Museum, in 1949 from Professor of Egyptology, Percy Newberry, (at the University of Liverpool from 1906 to 1911) and in 1951. These acquisitions include 20th century Palestinian pottery and material from Fustat. Later donations came in response to the devastating fire that destroyed Liverpool Museum during the Blitz of 1941.
We are working on the recommendations of the report, developing digital content, integrating collections with displays at World Museum Liverpool and learning activities for the Weston Discovery Centre by summer 2009. We are also keen to link the collections with contemporary artists’ work and to explore stylistic influences and designs from the Islamic world and are therefore working closely with the Arabic Arts Festival in Liverpool.
Further information on Effective Collections is available online.
The North West Federation of Museums held its General Annual Meeting on 27th November 2008 at the Rex Makin Lecture Theatre, County Sessions House, next to the Walker Art Gallery. At this meeting, the future of the Federation was discussed.
In collaboration with the Museums Association we are hosting a networking event for diversity trainees from across UK at the lecture theatre of the Merseyside Maritime Museum.
The event will be an opportunity to meet senior managers and members of National Museums Liverpool Diversity Group as well as current or previous trainees from our museums. We will also offer a guided tour the new International Slavery Museum for all delegates.
The professional development event organised by Renaissance North West will be hosted on at the Rex Makin Lecture Theatre, County Sessions House next to the Walker Art Gallery.
For information contact k.athey@manchester.gov.uk.