IMA Annual Conference
2016 Irish Museums Association Annual Conference
Museums for Society: Towards a Cultural Democracy
27-28 February 2016, Dublin
Conference Brief
2016 marked the centenary of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic and its promise of "civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities for all its citizens".
Museums for Society: Towards a Cultural Democracy looked at museums as civic institutions with an important role to play in the social, cultural and educational life of society. They hold, interpret and exhibit their collections - the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity - on behalf of the public. They should therefore be ideally placed to help define and enhance a sense of citizenship and belonging, but are they living up to their potential? Do our audiences really feel ownership of "their" museums? Is a democratic museum possible?
This conference was presented with the support of the National Gallery of Ireland and the financial support of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Heritage Council of Ireland.
