Following the success of last year’s inaugural WIRP workshops, which were established by ICOM UK to promote regional museums in England working on projects overseas, the second round of sessions is about to be announced. With a successful Museum Resilience Fund grant of £95,000 awarded in February, project co-ordinator, Dana Andrew has been conducting post-workshop research to improve on the previous sessions that stopped off in each of the five ACE regions.
As well as face-to-face meetings and telephone calls Andrew has set up an online survey, which has so far been integral in planning the latest workshops. “The survey allows us to develop a deeper understanding of working internationally and the challenges and barriers that are faced,” said Andrew. “When we hear back from people in this way we are able to respond directly and we will develop the workshops in response to that.”
Those that complete the 2015 WIRP Survey will also have the chance to win a workshop place and travel bursary, with one free place and up to £75 travel bursary available per ACE region.
The Working Internationally Regional Project is managed by a consortium of organisations led by ICOM UK in partnership with the National Museum Directors’ Council, the British Council, and Heritage Without Borders.
WIRP’s aim is to develop the long-term capacity for regional and local museums to work internationally by developing the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence of those embarking on international work.
For further information on the WIRP, to contribute to the research, or to participate in the regional workshops, contact Dana Andrew, Project Co-ordinator by email: [email protected].
