The IMA announces 2024 Annual Conference theme

The Irish Museums Association (IMA) is delighted to announce the theme for the 2024 Annual Conference: Breaking Boundaries - The Future of Regional Museums.

The main gathering for the museum community across Ireland, the 2024 conference is supported by Carlow County Museum and will take place in Carlow College on the 23rd and 24th of May.

Conference Theme

Regional and local museums not only serve as living testaments to their histories and cultural heritage material but also stand as symbols of inclusivity, reflecting the diversity of local cultures and celebrating their communities.

These dynamic institutions intricately shape our national cultural landscape, weaving together the rich heritage across Ireland. They are, in addition, catalysts for physical, economic, and social regeneration of the area in which they are located. However, despite their centrality to the cultural fabric of the island, the provision, funding and support of these is often haphazard and uneven. This conference aims to examine the key factors which propel and guide investment in our regional and local museums. What are the consequences of the lack of joined up thinking when it comes to museum provision in Ireland and what policies and support mechanisms are required to foster stronger partnerships among national, regional, and local museums?

With both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland currently exploring national museum policies, the 2024 Irish Museums Association (IMA) Annual Conference seeks to delve into the nuanced considerations as we explore the intersection of regional richness and national aspirations. Join us as we seek to facilitate meaningful conversations and establish a platform for ongoing collaboration and information exchange between the cultural and policy sectors; inspiring concrete actions for regional museums to enhance their influence on national policies.

We invite all stakeholders, including museum professionals, policymakers, cultural enthusiasts, and academics, to join us in fostering meaningful conversations and establishing a platform for ongoing collaboration and information exchange between the cultural and policy sectors.

Join us in Carlow as we break boundaries, foster collaboration, and chart a course for regional museums to play an even more influential role in our national cultural narrative.

For more information and registration details, visit https://irishmuseums.org/annual-conference/2024-ima-annual-conference