Join BBC documentary presenter Jago Cooper as he explores the changing role of museums in the 21st Century.
RAMM’s recent Arts Council funded work on the re-display of the World Cultures Galleries brought into the public eye many of the big questions facing cultural institutions with diverse collections sourced from around the world. Today all museums, from national to regional to local, are re-evaluating how and why international collections are displayed the way they are. However, perhaps it is time to re-think some of the more fundamental justifications surrounding why museums exist and what their role in society should be?
Using the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts and the British Museum to illuminate these thoughts, this talk will review some of the historical legacies of the museum world and sketch out some creative ideas for what a very different style of museum might look like in the future.
Jago Cooper is Director of the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts and Professor of Art and Archaeology at UEA. For more than twenty years Jago has worked for and with museums and heritage organisations around the world to explore and communicate aspects of the great human story. His books and publications provide innovative perspectives on cultural experience and interpretation of material expression. His research has ranged broadly across universal questions facing global society including climate change, technological revolution, colonial encounter and social innovation.
In addition to his academic publications and papers, Jago has always worked hard to engage a broader public audience with his research interests creating exhibitions, digital platforms and broadcast media including writing and presenting more than a dozen documentaries for the BBC.
Cost: £10 in person / £8 online Zoom ticket
For those who can’t make it to RAMM for this event, it will also be live-streamed via Zoom on the night (sorry, no recording of this event is possible).
Accessibility Statement: Royal Albert Memorial Museum is fully wheelchair accessible with hearing loops at both receptions.
Entrance to RAMM is through the Garden Entrance or Queen Street. You can reach the Garden Entrance via two accessible routes via Castle Street, past Exeter Library, or via Little Queen Street and Musgrave Row, which is level. Wheelchair users and people with mobility scooters, pushchairs and buggies can access the entrance using the ramp from the blue-badge parking area, or may use our new lift to enter or exit from Queen Street to pavement level. Small vehicles, including minibuses, can also use the parking area to drop passengers. To book blue-badge parking, museum.reception@exeter.gov.uk call 01392 265960 during opening hours – 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays and bank holidays).RAMM’s Accessibility Guide provides accurate measurements, descriptions and images of RAMM’s accessible features, helping you plan your visit with ease. This can be viewed online or downloaded as a word document. It is useful for visitors with a variety of access requirements. RAMM’s Visual Story (2MB pdf file), with pictures and words, shows how to find the museum and the facilities available. It will be particular useful for visitors with autism and their carers. Digitally explore RAMM’s galleries further using Google Street View.
Full details on accessibility at RAMM can be found here: https://rammuseum.org.uk/visit/access/