The IMA organises a themed Annual Conference in spring each year, offering an opportunity for members of the Irish museums community to meet, network and discuss issues of relevance for the Irish museum sector.
2012 Annual Conference - Rising to the Challenge
24-26 February 2012 - The Annual Conference will place in the Strand Hotel, Limerick, courtesy of the Hunt Museum
In times of national economic stress, the provision of cultural and heritage sector support can seem like a luxury. There are many fractures in the structure of our society. Unemployment rates continue to rise, people are losing their homes and health services are being curtailed. In these circumstances support for museum and galleries is not an anomaly - it is a necessity. Caring for cultural assets and treasures is a priority. Our collections, whether national and local, are a physical manifestation of our identity. They have a key role to play in education, research, scholarship, tourism and overall social and community wellbeing.
We acknowledge we are in a time of change but with change come challenges. Are we prepared and willing to embrace these challenges? The IMA Annual Conference 2012 will set out to determine where our collecting institutions are placed to embrace change and to prove our worth to wider society.
Guest Speakers:
Julien Anfruns, Director General, International Council of Museums (ICOM)
Chris Bailey, Director, Northern Ireland Museums Council
Tania Banotti, Chief Executive, Theatre Forum Ireland & Secretary, National Campaign for the Arts.
Una Carmody, Director, Arts Audiences
Pat Cooke, Director, MA in Cultural Policy and Arts Management, University College Dublin
Elizabeth Crooke, Senior Lecturer, Museum and Heritage Studies, University of Ulster
Niall Crowley, Independent Equality Expert
André Gob, Professor of Museology, University of Liège, Belgium
Peader Kirby, Professor of International Politics and Public Policy & Director of the Institute for the Study of Knowledge in Society, University of Limerick
Mark O'Neill, Director of Policy & Research, Cultural & Sport Glasgow (Glasgow Life)
Aidan Pender, Director of Strategic Development, Fáilte Ireland
Michael Starrett, Chief Executive Officer, Heritage Council
Click here for the conference brochure
Enquiries to IMA Administrator Ms Gina O'Kelly at +353-1-4120939 or click here to send an email
Click here to complete a booking form
Accommodation
We would like to advise all Conference delegates that the Limerick Strand Hotel was fully booked by Friday 27 January. We have a deal with a second hotel George Boutique Hotel who are offering a reduced rate of €59 (room only) / €64 (B&B) per night for IMA delegates on both the Friday and Saturday.
To book, contact the George Boutique Hotel at +353-61-460400 or click here to email their reservations desk. Please make sure to tell them you will be attending the IMA Conference in order to secure the discount rate.
Trade Exhibits
Commercial Members should avail of the opportunity to set up an exhibition stand with information/offers for delegates at the IMA Annual Conference in the Limerick Strand Hotel on Saturday 25 of February. For further information and to submit expressions of interest, please click here to email Gina O'Kelly, IMA Administrator or phone +353-1-4120939 before Monday 6 February