CfP: ICOM Kyoto – International Museum Partnerships and Collaborations

International Museum Partnerships and Collaborations

2 September 2019, 1:00-5:00

during the ICOM Triennial General Conference in Kyoto, Japan

Museums as Cultural Hubs: The Future of Tradition

One of the key concepts behind the ICOM 2019 theme of Museums as Cultural Hubs is supporting museum collaborations and partnerships. In the spirit of this theme, the Commonwealth Association of Museums (CAM), the International Council of African Museums (AFRICOM), the Museums Association of the Caribbean (MAC), and the Pacific Islands Museums Association (PIMA) are collaborating to  organise a half day event to explore international partnerships and collaborations and the potential for these four ICOM Affiliated Organisations to work together more effectively.  

Museums and heritage organisations as well as not-for-profit organisations beyond the cultural sector, governments and the corporate sector, are increasingly working in collaboration or partnership to develop their collections, exhibitions and programmes. In some cases, they share resources, whether staff, expertise, space or equipment. The words collaboration and partnership are often used interchangeably, yet a true collaboration exists when organisations share authority, and a true partnership is a sustained relationship requiring equal risk and equal benefit (not necessarily the same financial contribution) over a period of time. A sponsor, donor or funder, whose support is strictly financial, is not a partner. What makes a successful collaboration or partnership? How do partners and collaborators work together most effectively? Why do collaborations and partnerships fail? What case studies should be featured?

In the second part of the meeting we will discuss how CAM, AFRICOM, MAC, and PIMA can collaborate more effectively in the future, whether on specific programmes such as internships, exchanges, distance learning, workshops, conferences, and special projects, or by developing more formal relationships such as reciprocal memberships.

To submit a proposal for a 15-minute presentation or to exhibit a poster, contact Catherine C. Cole, CAM Secretary-General catherinec.cole@telus.net; abstracts should be 350 words and biographies 75 words; deadline: 15 December 2018; approval: 31 March 2019.

See this document for the full call for proposals.