engage annual Conference 2003, Liverpool
engage's annual conference in 2003 focused on diversity. Whose diversity? started from the premise that society's diversity comprises both the
visible and the hidden, including issues of race, age and disability, and that embracing these differences is vital to contemporary life and
creativity. The conference debated definitions of diversity as a concept in itself, examining and critiquing the organisational culture within
galleries and museums. It explored diversity in relation to structure and staffing, programming, education and audience development.
You can download the conference programme here.
Keynote speakers included:
Laura Knill, Roffey Park Consultancy; Zoya Kocur; Declan McGonagle, City Arts Centre, Dublin; Jude Kelly.
engage Chair: Michael Tooby
Conference Chair: Femi Folorunso, Scottish Arts Council
Breakout sessions looked at areas including:
Engaging Older People
Curating Disability and Deaf Arts
Context and Legacies for Social Inclusion
How can Gallery educators play their part in building a more diverse gallery workforce?
How can Gallery educators embrace more diverse education and interpretation?
How can Gallery educators as a profession try to make themselves more diverse?
Venues included: Bluecoat Gallery, FACT, Tate Liverpool, Walker Art Gallery, Blackburne House.
Delegates said:
‘The most stimulating and useful engage conference that I have been to’
‘The most exciting and relevant conference I have been to in ages’
‘It was interesting and thought-provoking that although we were all there for the same reasons and with the same good intentions,
there was still so much debate about what Cultural Diversity is/includes. It provided a good springboard for putting thoughts into action 'back at the base'’