Call for Papers | The Irish Museums Association Annual Conference Athlone 2020, Transforming Museums

The deadline for receipt of proposals: 23 September, 12 noon.

The Irish Museums Association (IMA) invites short proposals (250 words max) for presentations at the IMA Annual Conference, to be held at Dean Crowe Theatre and Arts Centre in Athlone, 21 – 22 February 2020. Proposals may be for 20 to 50 minute sessions under a range of presentation formats.

The IMA annual conference is the main gathering of the Irish museum and public gallery sector. It aims to provide a platform for critical dialogue around the role and purpose of museums and inform sectoral agendas, while assisting delegates with their planning as they realise their institution’s full potential.

Successful proposals will offer innovative approaches that will inspire and encourage dynamic and constructive discussions and respond to the conference theme: Transforming Museums

In recent decades there has been a major shift towards a user-led philosophy within museum practice. How can we encourage and drive this culture change from within our institutions, and also adapt to the changing cultural context in which our institutions exist? Is it time to reimagine the place of the museum and its functions? Who will shape that vision?

From high-level strategy to on-the-ground implementation, this conference will seek to explore what are the attitudes, partnerships and collaborations that can drive development and redraw the museum’s boundaries. How we plan to navigate the accelerated levels of change around us while also maintaining our commitment to positive aspects of our historical legacy.

Selected freelance speakers receive an honorarium of €100. See the IMA website for the full conference brief and what to include with your proposal: irishmuseums.org