As we approach the end of 2024, there’s a wealth of opportunities for those passionate about crafts, cultural heritage, and museum innovation. From international conferences to exhibitions celebrating the art of storytelling through objects, these events offer exciting insights and inspiration for preserving and championing heritage.
Museums Association Conference – The Joy of Museums
Dates: 12-14 November 2024
Location: Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds, UK
This year’s Museums Association Conference embraces “The Joy of Museums,” bringing together professionals and enthusiasts to explore how museums create meaningful experiences and preserve cultural heritage. Expect sessions on best practices in safeguarding and sharing intangible heritage, with interactive discussions on crafts, historical artefacts, and museum management. Leeds’ Royal Armouries is the perfect setting, allowing visitors to experience centuries of craftsmanship, from arms and armour to intricate metalwork.
Learn more about the conference here.
Culture Business Sydney Conference
Dates: 19-20 November 2024
Location: Sydney, Australia
Culture Business Sydney, hosted by Communicating the Arts, focuses on arts management and sustainability for cultural organisations. This year’s discussions will emphasize strategies for promoting traditional crafts and connecting them with contemporary audiences. Sessions will cover topics from marketing heritage skills to fostering community-based initiatives. A key highlight includes talks on securing sponsorships and partnerships for artisan and heritage projects, valuable for organisations and museums invested in keeping crafts alive.
Explore the full program here.
Storied Objects at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Ongoing
Location: National Mall, Washington, D.C., USA
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival’s exhibition Storied Objects dives into the art of storytelling through crafts and objects, celebrating how items carry the cultural narratives of their makers and communities. This exhibition is particularly engaging for those interested in the histories embedded in craft traditions, showcasing objects that represent centuries-old skills, from weaving to pottery. Storied Objects invites attendees to explore how crafts embody the values and histories of different cultures, bridging past and present through tangible items.
Discover more about the exhibition here.
Imaginal Crafts – National Crafts Museum, Japan
Dates: Until December 2024
Location: Kanazawa, Japan
This exhibition presents six Japanese artists who merge heritage techniques with contemporary aesthetics in crafts like metalwork, lacquer, and ceramics. Each piece underscores the artists’ cultural connection to Japanese heritage crafts, exploring how traditional values continue to inspire modern works. Visitors gain insights into Japan’s rich craft legacy through pieces that weave history and contemporary artistry.
Find more details at the National Crafts Museum.
Future Imaginaries: Indigenous Art, Fashion, Technology
Dates: Opening September 2024
Location: Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles, USA, in collaboration with Getty’s PST ART
This exhibition, part of Getty’s PST ART collaboration, highlights Indigenous artists reimagining their heritage through modern mediums. The works blend traditional craftsmanship with art, fashion, and technology, presenting a vibrant, future-oriented vision of Indigenous cultures. Future Imaginaries emphasizes the role of Indigenous crafts in a global dialogue on cultural sustainability, bridging heritage and innovation.
Learn more about the exhibition here.
Each of these events provides a unique lens on cultural heritage and the importance of crafts in preserving identity and tradition. Whether you’re a heritage professional, a craft enthusiast, or simply curious about the stories woven into everyday objects, these gatherings are not to be missed.
Image credits: 1 - Exhibition poster for Imaginal Crafts – National Crafts Museum, Japan, 2 - Jai Nopek, Recon Watchman, 2022, Courtesy of Virgil Ortiz (Cochiti Pueblo). Part of the exhibition Future Imaginaries: Indigenous Art, Fashion, Technology.
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