The Lao National Museum (Vientiane, Lao PDR) and ICCROM - International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, in partnership with CHA - Korean Cultural Heritage Administration, are organising an international course entitled "Planning new exhibitions: conservation, communication, community". It will be held in Vientiane on 2-23 October 2019.

Background

Heritage collections bear testimony to our diversity, ingenuity, and history. They are a powerful resource for education, fostering creativity, social coherence, and well-being. It is our job to use and conserve them in the best possible way to achieve these goals. The exhibition of collections offers a unique opportunity to reach and engage the public. It is the moment when heritage items can be used in a coherent and synergistic way to create meaningful narratives and experiences. However, the exhibition process requires interdisciplinary collaboration on a range of conservation-related topics such as documentation, significance, display, environmental control, transportation, security, and so on. Planning exhibitions is therefore a vital and complex skill for today's heritage organizations dealing with collections. The workshop "Planning new exhibitions: conservation, communication, community" is held in the context of ICCROM's CollAsia programme, an educational initiative aiming to empower heritage collections professionals in Southeast Asia.

Contents and format

This CollAsia course will address key aspects of exhibition planning, including concept and design, public engagement, logistics, preventive conservation and risk management for heritage collections going on display. It will promote scientific literacy, critical thinking, and decision-making skills among the diverse professionals involved in the making of exhibitions. The course will explore emerging topics such as interactive exhibits, storytelling, open storage, and the use of digital technologies to improve visitors' experience. This intensive training activity will consist of highly interactive sessions containing presentations, practical exercises, and study visits. Participants will benefit from working in an actual museum environment, and from exchanging their knowledge and experience with colleagues from Southeast Asia and beyond. The working language will be English. The course will take place in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The new premises of the Lao National Museum will provide an inspiring venue and the right context to delve into the multifaceted process of planning exhibitions.

Participants

The workshop will have up to 20 participants, of which 16 from the Asia-Pacific Region, and 4 from other regions. Participants must have at least three years experience with collections, preferably including the organisation of exhibitions. The course team will consist of specialists from the ICCROM network. A number of scholarships will be available for selected candidates, kindly provided by CHA-Korea for professionals from the Asia-Pacific region, and by ICCROM for professionals from other regions. Priority will be given to selected candidates from ICCROM Member States. Scholarships will cover round-trip travel, accommodation and meals in Vientiane during the workshop.

Application and further information

Registration for the workshop "Planning new exhibitions: conservation, communication, community" is open until 28 February. For further information, please visit https://www.iccrom.org/courses/planning-new-exhibitions-conservation-communication-community