In recent years the focus of museums has changed. They used to be mainly concerned with conservation – about the objects – but now the focus is on the people visiting them and the community they serve. This change has brought about a shift in all areas of museum management in order to put the audience at the heart of all decision making. From exhibition design and interpretation to marketing and publicity; from publications to education work, the successful museum engages in dialogue with its community and ensures that it is accessible to all sections of that community.

This five day workshop, organised by Visiting Arts and the British Council in association with Guangdong Museum of Art, will bring together a panel of leading curators from Britain to share their knowledge and experience with colleagues from China.

Through a lively mix of presentations, case studies, exercises and group work the programme will cover all aspects of exhibition planning and delivery with a clear focus on community participation, education and audience development including:

• The role of the modern museum
• Understanding the audience
• Exhibition design and interpretation
• Education and audience development

During the week participants will work on a practical case study to design a programme of work around an exhibition linking China and the UK

The UK Teaching Team

Roger McCann – Workshop leader. An experienced arts manager and trainer, he works with Arts Council England and teaches arts management at London Metropolitan University and London South Bank University.

John Reeve was formerly Head of Education at the British Museum and now lectures on museum education at the Institute of education in London.

Steph Mastoris is Curator of the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, one of seven sites operated by the National Museum of Wales, and is a specialist in community engagement.

Jim Broughton is Head of Interpretation at the British Museum in London and has recently been involved in the major exhibition The First Emperor, China’s Terracotta Army .

Nelson Fernandez, Director Cultural Operations at Visiting Arts will also attend.

Who should attend?

The workshop is aimed at curators and middle managers with at least two year’s experience although those with less experience who have worked professionally in museums will be considered. You should be in a position where you are able to put into practice the lessons you learn during the programme. It is anticipated that the majority of participants will be between the ages of 25 and 35 years. Participation is restricted to Chinese nationals.

Monday 24 March
Theme for the day: Why are we here?

Tuesday 25 March
Theme for the day: Interpretation

Wednesday 26 March
Theme for the day: Planning the exhibition

Thursday 27 March
Theme for the day: Delivering the exhibition

Friday 28 March
Theme for the day: Presentations

The application deadline is 4 March 2008. For more information about this workshop, please send your inquiry to the following email address:
guangzhou@britishcouncil.org.cn

Download the application HERE.