On August 13th, we hosted the first ‘Culture Track Museum Careers Conference’ at the Discovery Museum. It was an action packed day, to give volunteers the opportunity to find out more about museum careers through interactive workshops, presentations, and networking opportunities.
Volunteers participating in the Conservation Workshop
Bill Griffiths, Senior Manager Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, talked to the volunteers about how to run museums and galleries. Then the volunteers had the chance to have a go and participate in a variety of workshops to learn more about; curating exhibitions; conserving objects; how exhibitions are built; creating educational sessions; marketing museums and raising money for museums. They could even have a go at curating their own art exhibition in a scale model of the Shipley Art Gallery and to get their hands on some real museum objects!
Behind the scenes tour from Brian Porter, Technician who builds the exhibitions
David Greatrex, who previously volunteered with Culture Track and has since moved into employment as a Museum Assistant at the Laing Art Gallery, gave a really inspirational talk about the importance of volunteering and how it helped him gain relevant experience to help secure his job.
Volunteers getting a closer look at museum objects. What material is this and how would you conserve it?
The volunteers and staff really enjoyed the day and I would love to do this again in the future.
“It was a day I shall remember for a very long time. The members of your team gave an insight into the day to day running of a museum and helped to give an overall picture of all the different facets which make up the whole.” Comment from volunteer.
Curating an exhibition in the scale model of the Shipley Art Gallery
If you’re interested you can even watch selected highlights from the conference below.
Video of presentation – Top Tips When Applying for Jobs in Museums and Galleries