The UK is recognised across the globe as a leader in skills, expertise and policy within the arts and creative industries. In collaboration with a list of selected leading arts and cultural organisations and institutions in the UK, the British Council has initiated a Cultural Skills programme which supports organisations and individuals to develop skills, build networks and create opportunities.
The British Council Cultural Skills initiatives span various creative disciplines including museums, performing arts, visual arts, film, cultural heritage and festivals. Activities range from practice-based visits, workshops, seminars, master-classes and continued professional development. This latest British Council programme is designed specifically for a Hong Kong museum sector delegation. The programme will provisionally take place from 29 September to 7 October 2019, involving attendance at the annual Museums Association Conference, and visits to leading museum and cultural institutions in the UK. The visit will be led by a British Council member of staff from Hong Kong.
Programme
The UK study visit programme will provide an interactive environment for sharing practice, exploring common challenges and opportunities, and building strategic networks and connections through visits and meetings, from which future cultural relations and collaborations between the UK and Hong Kong will be strengthened.
Part One:
Through the British Council’s contact network and knowledge of the UK museum sector, participants will gain access to specially tailored sessions with leading UK museum contacts and organisations; these will be designed specifically to address subjects directly relevant to the work of the delegates in Hong Kong, following the interlinked themes outlined below.
- Digital museum strategy: How can museums use a comprehensive digital strategy to innovate their practice and stay relevant in a globalised contemporary society?
- Social inclusion strategy: How can museums use their digital work in order to widen their audience and create more inclusive institutions, for example by fostering greater engagement with young people?
Part Two:
The programme will also include passes to the leading Museums Association industry conference in Brighton, UK, with the opportunity to meet further UK museum peers in order to gain learning, experience and insight into the UK museum sector on both strategic and practical levels.
The theme of the 2019 Museums Association Conference is Sustainable and Ethical Museums in a Globalised World, linking to current social and political upheaval, demographic changes, rising inequalities and climate change. The conference will discuss how museums are in a strong position to encourage and facilitate debate about these challenging issues, while adapting themselves to these issues in the age of globalisation.
The two parts of the programme are thematically interlinked, through the idea that museums can use effective digital strategy to widen their audiences, better allowing them to stay relevant and responsive to ethical challenges and to help create a more sustainable society in today’s globalised world.
As such, applicants will be expected to apply their experience and learning outcomes from Part One of the programme in order to engage in the debates and discussions in Part Two. At the subsequent conclusion of the programme, delegates will then be expected to be able to apply their combined experience from the programme to their work in the Hong Kong museum sector.
Programme Fee
The study visit programme fee for each participant is GBP7,000; including:
- International return travel between Hong Kong and the UK, including all UK airport transfers and internal travel;
- Overnight accommodation in the UK;
- All introductions, meetings, visits and other networking opportunities with UK arts institutions as tailored by the British Council;
- A three day pass for the Museums Association Conference in Brighton.
Not included:
- Meals and refreshments (unless explicitly advertised otherwise)
Eligibility
- Applicants should have spent at least 10 years working in the Hong Kong arts and cultural field, including proven experience in a senior position(s), and preferably with knowledge and experience in the museum sector or a closely related field.
- Applicants should possess a recognised university degree preferably in arts or cultural studies, arts management or similar fields;
- Applicants must have an excellent command of spoken and written English.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be received and assessed by the British Council. The key criteria for consideration in the assessment of suitability for this programme will be as follows:
- Applicant’s work experience and qualifications;
- Applicant’s knowledge and understanding of the local museum sector;
- Potential for the programme to benefit the applicant’s professional development.
Application Submission
Applicants are required to complete the application form online or download the PDF application form from the download link at the bottom of the page, which must include the contact details of one referee with in-depth knowledge of the applicant’s work performance. The application form should take approximately 40 minutes to complete.
Submission Deadline
All applications must be submitted on or before 18.00, Wednesday 28 August 2019; either via the online application form or by submitting a completed PDF application form via email to arts@britishcouncil.org.hk. The British Council will not be able to accord any extensions beyond this deadline.
Please be assured that all submitted applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. All applicants will be informed of the outcome by Monday 2 September 2019.
If you have any queries, please contact Tim Wong, Programme Manager: Timothy.Wong@britishcouncil.org.hk