GEM CONFERENCE 2009 - WEDNESDAY
Tuesday 8 September to Friday 11 September 2009
Birmingham
Engaging Diverse Communities
Wednesday 9 September
What do we mean by ‘engaging diverse communities’ and why should the
heritage sector be involved?
This day will focus on the political, professional and social imperatives
for engaging more explicitly with people and communities, and what this
means for the heritage sector. The day will also look at how practice needs
to develop for communities to be at the heart of learning programmes.
MORNING PROGRAMME
Lakeside Conference Centre
08.30 Registration for day delegates
Refreshments
09.00 Welcome & Opening Address
John Reeve, Chair, GEM
09.15 Keynote address
Why should the heritage sector
seek to engage communities?
David Fleming, Director,
National Museums, Liverpool
09.45 Keynote address
Representing diversity through
heritage:
challenges for heritage
practice and education
Dr Rodney Harrison, Lecturer in
Heritage Studies, Open University
10.15 Q&A with keynote speakers
10.30 Refreshments
11.00 Breakout Sessions
These sessions will explore in more detail some of the issues raised in the
morning’s keynote speeches. For example, representing community identity,
working with hard-to-reach
groups, project planning and impact assessment. See Call for Papers.
(a) How can collections connect with communities?
Liz Braby, Audience
Development Officer, BM&AG
(b) What is the role of the educator in helping people
understand and
celebrate diversity?
Michael Cooke, MLA Regional
Manager (West Midlands)
(c) The community user viewpoint
12.30 Lunch
13.30 Coaches depart
AFTERNOON PROGRAMME
a) Working with a local community
Find out about Written in the Stars:
Chinese Art in the Sky and working with the local Chinese community to
devise a show for the planetarium.
Julia Kingston, Thinktank (On foot)
b) Learning and community work
Includes a guided visit to an exhibition by BTEC students from Sutton
College Design Centre. Hazel Cartledge, Soho House (By coach)
(c) Responding to a diverse area
Guided tour with reference to the development of the site and a look at
either the Community Mosaic or Guns, Gangs and Knives projects.
Rosie Barker and Rachel West, Aston Hall. (By coach)
d)
On-site workshops at Lakeside (delegates will attend both)
(1) Breaking down barriers Accessing learning using culture and heritage as
a springboard through community led projects.
Sue James, National Waterfront
Museum,
Swansea
(2) Engaging diverse communities What are the implications for you and how to
develop strategies that create a more inclusive organisation?
A workshop based on discussion, problem solving and key tips.
Vicky Woollard
& Nick Winterbotham, Millennium Point
16.30 Refreshments & Networking
EVENING PROGRAMME
18.00 Members’ presentations
Short presentations from GEM members on a wide range of case studies, best
professional practice and good ideas. (See panel)
19.30 Dinner at Lakeside Centre
21.30 Networking opportunities