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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20241023T135515Z
DTSTART:20241024T170000Z
DTEND:20241024T190000Z
SUMMARY:Gathering of Strangers: Why Museums Matter - sold out*
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 c-h9z78t
DESCRIPTION:SOLD OUT EVENT\n\nWe look forward to welcoming you to 'Gather
 ing of Strangers: Why Museums Matter' on Thursday 24 October at The Whit
 worth.*\n\n* We are sorry to announce that Cornelia Parker CBE will no l
 onger be able to attend due to illness. We look forward to welcoming Dr 
 Maria Balshaw CBE in conversation with Prof. John McAuliffe exploring th
 e transformative role of the museum – and of art.\n\n‘Public institution
 s do not sit 'outside' society\, they are the barometer of time and plac
 e. How museums and galleries open themselves up to change and engage dis
 senting voices is not obvious or easy\, but as a recent visitor said\, “
 art is an invitation to a conversation” – so perhaps our role might be t
 o unlock that conversation.’ Maria Balshaw\n\nA powerful\, timely and th
 ought-provoking exploration of the transformative role of the museum – a
 nd of art – in society today.\n\nIn the first two decades of the twenty-
 first century\, museums have experienced unprecedented disruption and ch
 ange. At the same time\, there is a growing debate over what museums are
  for\, who they speak to and what the histories\, objects and ideas they
  are tasked with holding reflect – all taking place within a public sphe
 re that feels increasingly dynamic and volatile. Taking a wide-ranging a
 nd thought-provoking look at the roles and responsibilities of some of o
 ur most well-known and beloved public institutions\, Gathering of Strang
 ers explores the critical challenges and opportunities for the museum at
  this point in the twenty-first century. Moving from the historical orig
 ins of the gallery to important current debates taking place around art 
 and public engagement\, the climate emergency\, race equality and decolo
 nisation\, and the value of the arts in education – this book sets out t
 he role of art and artists in imagining and shaping our collective futur
 e. It is also a love letter to the museum\, from a sector leader who is 
 at the forefront of the cultural conversation today.\n\nMaria Balshaw is
  Director of Tate\, a role she has held since June 2017. Previously\, sh
 e was Director of the Whitworth\, University of Manchester\; Director of
  Manchester of Manchester City Galleries\; and Director of Culture for M
 anchester City Council. Maria is Chair of the National Museums Director’
 s Council and is a Trustee of the Factory International Board in Manches
 ter. She is also a member of the Women Leaders in Museums Network and a 
 member of the Bizot group of leading global museums. In 2015\, Maris was
  awarded a CBE for services to the arts.\n\nDoors will open at 6pm\, wit
 h the event starting at 6:30pm. A cashless bar will be available\, and t
 he Whitworth Cafe and Shop will both be open during the day and evening.
  Copies of Maria Balshaw's book 'Gathering of Strangers: Why Museums Mat
 ter' will be on sale.\n\n\nAbout the venue\n\nThe Whitworth is a venue w
 ith level access throughout\, and facilities to support you during your 
 visit. Alongside this our visitor team will be on hand to assist you in 
 the gallery. Find out more about planning your visit to the Whitworth an
 d accessibility information for you.\n\nIf you’d like to speak to a team
  member about any access or additional needs\, please get in touch with 
 the gallery and we will be happy to assist you. Email whitworth@manchest
 er.ac.uk or telephone 0161 275 7450.\n\n\nThis event is co-presented wit
 h Creative Manchester\, and is part of the ‘Solstice and Equinox series'
 \, which brings innovative creative artists to The University of Manches
 ter’s four Cultural Institutions. Each of our unique cultural institutio
 ns – The Whitworth\, the John Rylands Research Institute and Library\, M
 anchester Museum and Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre – focus on building c
 ivic\, national and international partnerships to advance the social\, e
 nvironmental and individual wellbeing of our communities.\nCreative Manc
 hester is an interdisciplinary research platform based at The University
  of Manchester. The platform champions research in creativity and creati
 ve practice\, bringing together research communities with external partn
 ers to explore new research areas and address strategic opportunities. P
 lease visit the Creative Manchester website for more information.
STATUS:TENTATIVE
TRANSP:TRANSPARENT
CLASS:PUBLIC
LOCATION:The Whitworth\, Manchester
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