There will be a two stage call for papers with the first round asking for proposals for conference formats that are different to the usual panels and roundtables (although some of those will feature too!). More soon!
Next year’s MEG conference will be hosted by Rethinking Relationships at the Pitt Rivers Museum and will focus on how better relationships can build better museums. We are hoping to do something a bit different this year and play with ideas about what a conference can be and we want your input.
This week, we're thrilled to be receiving a newly commissioned object for the Museum's permanent collection - a brand new bronze artwork from Benin.
We'll be showing sneak peeks all week, before its grand unveiling on Friday. Day 1: Check out this intricate snake detail, beautifully cast in bronze!
These signs in Walvis Bay are part of a joint project with the Municipality of Czerwonak in Poland aimed at ‘strengthening participatory governance, building institutional capacity and enhancing the sustainability of public spaces in the Erongo region [in line with] New European Bauhaus.’
From the Finnish language in museums to the show about Swiss books and the accumulation of art by embassy’s in a (Uranium inspired?) race to have the biggest building in Windhoek, the presence of European funding motivated by colonial legacies, personal connections and natural resources is clear.
You can learn a lot about Poland, specifically ‘People Friendly Cities’, in Walvis Bay, Namibia.
As I travelled around Namibia recently I was thinking about the impact of soft diplomacy funding on arts, heritage and tourist sites.
There is no tea in the flat. None.
I’m very lucky to be working in the museum while this project happens and occasionally get to see some of the things they’re working on.
Debate about whether or not I should wfh on Wednesday has been decided. I’m definitely going in for this’
On a more serious note it’s really worth seeking this out. It’s open access and gives the perspectives of writers from across Africa. Some cover well known (in the U.K.) examples but others are less familiar but equally important.
📍 Fellowship Opportunity: The NIAS Institute is offering two fellowships (AY 2025-2026) for research in the depots, archives and collections of museums belonging to the Colonial Collections Consortium.
Researchers from the Global South are invited to apply until March 17:
Tired of reading what European’s have to say about returning African museum collections? Read some African writing instead!
jahazi.co.ke
An eight legged stool carved from a single piece of wood alongside a close up of a drum and a museum label.
Perspective from Diaspora: Sustaining roots and engagement with cultural heritage in the UK by Jane Gaffa
Jane talks about why access to museum collections is so important to her.
museumethnographersgroup.org.uk/blogs/?blog_...
Record sleeve and leaflet both titled ‘Music from Petauke of Northern Rhodesia’.
Getting through Monday with help from yesterday’s purchase @cafeotodalston.bsky.social
Turns out Kalimba music and Beer songs from Eastern Province, Zambia are the perfect accompaniment to catching up on emails.