CONFERENCE REPORT 2008 - PENZANCE
Penzance was a superb venue, and Penlee House Museum and
Gallery a wonderful host museum. The permanent collection of paintings of
Newlyn artists and the special exhibition of their drawings are a joy. The
theme was 'A Sense of Place', words which were interpreted in
different and fascinating ways during the weekend; most entertainingly by
Jonathan Griffin, Director of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, in
Falmouth.
On the Saturday morning we got down to serious matters. Kate Brindley spoke of the challenges which face museums in the 21st century. Modern
museums must be businesslike, politically astute, abreast of modern technology,
have a high standard of collection care and modern facilities, yet be visually
beautiful temples of culture. Friends need to understand the changing role of
museums in the 21st century and help their museum to survive and thrive in a
difficult world. There must be a relationship of trust and respect between the
museum and its Friends. An innovation was a session devoted to discussion
groups and feedback. We considered the relationship between museums and their
Friends. Many cogent comments resulted, and Alison Bevan, who chaired this
session, promised to collate them for the BAFM Journal and if possible the
Museums Journal too. This would be an excellent way of conveying Friends'
often quite outspoken comments to the museum profession.
Sir Neil
Cossons gave the keynote speech, making a strong case for museums to be
free-standing rather than local authority run. Museums should be publicly
funded and run by boards of trustees committed to their true purpose. He
advocated that a national body of Friends groups needs powerful authority
and a clear voice to support museums when threats arise, as, he said, they will.
BAFM's AGM was expertly conducted by our Chair,
Norah Dunbar. Members voted in favour of an increase in subscriptions. Winners
of the Newsletter Competition were announced. First prize for groups of fewer
than 500 members: Friends of Pitt Rivers Museum Oxford; Friends of Harlow
Museum and Welwyn Hatfield Museums were runners-up. First prize for groups of
over 500: Cheltenham Art Gallery; Friends of Dulwich Picture Gallery and the
National Museums of Wales were runners-up.
The conference ended
with an enticing presentation about 2009's venue at York, to be hosted by
Friends of York Art Gallery and the National Railway Museum. The theme will be 'Challenge and Change', to build on the discussions of the 2008
conference.
Our hosts excelled themselves by providing a huge
choice of visits and excursions, I think we all wanted to go on each one!
Suffice it to say that everyone I spoke to had thoroughly enjoyed their visits,
which were well organised and expertly led. We also enjoyed the unscheduled
visit to Porthcurno Telegraph Museum which is a real gem and accommodated our
party of 130 at very short notice. It was an excellent conference and thanks
are due to all concerned. |