Irish Museums Association
The Irish Museums Association (IMA) is a voluntary, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the interests of museums and those who work in them throughout Ireland, both north and south.[1] It was founded in 1977.[2]
The IMA organises an annual conference in February,[3] an Annual Lecture in November, publishes newsletters in Spring and Autumn and produces a journal Museum Ireland (ISSN 0961-9690) annually.[4] The Association also organises lectures and special events in collaboration with other museum-related bodies. They welcome as members anyone working in, or with an interest in, Irish museums and aim to be the voice of the Irish museums community.
Conferences
The annual conference takes place in February every year, in a different venue with an over arching theme for the proceedings.
- 2014 Museums & Memory: Challenging Histories Waterford 21 to 23 February. Contributors include: Dr Guido Gryseels (Director, Royal Museum of Central Africa), Catriona Crowe (Senior archivist and Head of special projects, National Archives of Ireland), Dr Roisin Higgins (Senior Lecturer in History, Teesside University).
- 2013 The Porous Museum: Building Partnerships - Making Connections Kilkenny 22 to 23 February. Contributors include: Dr Brian Kennedy (Director, Toledo Museum of Art), Dr Vicki Porter (Head of Discovery and Engagement, The Wellcome Trust), Mark Taylor (Director, Museums Association UK).
- 2012 Rising to the Challenge Limerick 24 to 26 February. Contributors include: Julien Anfruns (Director General, International Council of Museums), Michael Starrett (Chief Executive Officer, Heritage Council), Chris Bailey (Director, Northern Ireland Museums Council).