The International Slavery Museum is a museum located in Liverpool, England that focuses on the history and legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.The museum which forms part of the Merseyside Maritime Museum, consists of three main galleries which focus on the lives of people in West Africa, their eventual enslavement, and their continued fight for freedom. Themes will include connections across the African diaspora, the spread of African American culture and influence, and the movements for justice and equality. That’s something I’m interested to explore. It is the only national museum in the world to cover the transatlantic slave trade and its legacies as well as contemporary forms of slavery and enslavement. Missouri, a slave state, and Maine, a free state, applied to join the Union. Earlier this year, Glasgow Life appointed its first curator to look specifically at the legacies of slavery and the British Empire. But more efforts are being made to acknowledge the city’s past and how it prospered during the times of colonialism, especially following the events of 2020. Working in partnership with other museums with a focus on freedom and enslavement, the museum provides opportunities for greater awareness and understanding of the legacy of slavery … This year the International Slavery Museum will be marking the 21st Slavery Remembrance Day which is held each year on August 23. Booking required on +353 94 90 31751. Glasgow Life, which manages 11 museum sites, has appointed a curator to focus on the city’s links to the slave trade.. After further research into it, the American ship on the left was found to most likely be the Lindsays, arriving from New Orleans. The Anti-Racist Museum: Reflection and Progression – Museum Ideas 2020 Richard Benjamin – Head of the International Slavery Museum,… Preparing for Post-Corona Challenges — Museum Ideas 2020 It was thought to have carried a cargo of cotton to a number of Glasgow merchants. Studied human trafficking in different creative and news media’s, countries, and contexts including organised crime, conflict, climate change and natural disasters. Included in this distinguished list are the likes of T.S Elliot, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Meryl Streep, and many more. It is situated on the third floor of the Merseyside Maritime Museum at the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool. The new curator post is funded for two years by Museums Galleries Scotland. “The religion adapted and changed as a result of their new environment and the people they came into contact with. An object in the museum’s collection with particular relevance to Glasgow is a stunning painting of ships on the Clyde in 1832 by Robert Salmon. During the final week of this year’s Black History Month, Louise Devoy, Curator of the Royal Observatory, turns the spotlight on the historical links between the Royal Observatory and one of the most significant slave trade abolitionists, Thomas Clarkson (1760–1846). In 2015, he directed and curated the first Caribbean Festival International Festival of Caribbean Visual Art where 41 contemporary artists from the Caribbean had their works displayed. “We want to be looking at ways we can explore it, interpreting and telling their version of the history in their own terms.”. Our museum may be physically closed for a little while, but we want to ensure you can still access and view our collections - all from the comfort of your sofa! “While it’s not a historic document, there’s such a clear symbol of how Glasgow came to be the city that we see now.”. “On the right, we’ve got a sailing ship with a German flag which is likely picking up the produce of some of that work or from elsewhere in the Empire. INTERVIEW: New curator for legacies of slavery and empire in Glasgow’s museums on addressing colonialism’s impact by Ross Crae November 18, … Figurines of deities from the Santeria religion are among Miles’ favourite collection of objects in the museums’ possession. “It’s a museum of modern art, and it does a lot to display work from artists of colour and that should definitely still be continued and be part of it. But slavery didn’t end with the Slave Trade Act of 1807, or even with the Abolition Act in 1833. Minister Baboo under the sway of his officers, disregarded the proposal and paid a visit to the International Slavery Museum of Liverpool. A special talk to celebrate International Museum Day with Jean-François Manicom, curator at the International Slavery Museum, Liverpool, UK. “In a way, it’s almost impossible to separate what we know as a museum from the Empire, it involves so much of our collection, from natural to social history, to what we call world cultures which in itself is a colonial idea,” Miles explained. His appointment came just before Black History Month, celebrated in October, but the aim is for Glasgow’s cultural institutions to tell the story of the roots of global inequalities all year round, and for generations to come. Through his work with the museums, he aims to not just tell the stories of the time, but also give people a wider understanding of how the Empire’s legacy still impacts people in their daily lives today. view of the museum and believe it is an credibly vital local resource. Museum curators are highly educated professionals, and most earn a master’s degree in history, history of art, museum studies, anthropology, or archeology.Many curators will hold a doctor of philosophy degree. The International Slavery Museum ISM in Liverpool opened in 2007 and has seen over 4.5 million visitors. The Story of Liverpool Through Its Trees – Get Involved! With calls too for more education on Black history in school curriculums in Scotland, the appointment of someone in Miles’ role in the city’s cultural institutions comes at an important moment. This talk for museum/heritage/culture professionals will explore: ‘Developing exhibitions on challenging and emotive topics’ This is a free event. All Rights Reserved. Since 2007, the International Slavery Museum at Liverpool’s Albert Dock has told the story of the trade, the lives that were lost and the fortunes that were made. We do certainly have some though that we could look to use to interpret and tell those stories and make those connections.”. And its spread, Miles said, is an example of why the legacy of colonialism shouldn’t just be stories of oppression. Unofficial reports say that the curator of the Museum strongly advised him to work with the local academics and researchers of CRSI. “It shows enslaved African people fought hard to retain their cultures, religions and identities despite the colonists and those trying to eradicate them,” he explained. I’m not an expert on everyone’s experiences, I can only speak to my own, my family’s and what I’ve learned so far in my life. Here, Miles picks out two pieces from the Glasgow collection with particular relevance to the legacy of the slave trade. Catherine Eagleton - Curator of Modern Money; Katharine Hoare - Schools and Young Audience Team; Jonathan King - Keeper at the Department of Africa, India and the Americas; Chris Spring - Curator of the Africa Gallery; International Slavery Museum, National Museums Liverpool. International Slavery Museum - museum from home. Jean Francois Manicom, curator of Transatlantic Slavery & Legacies says: “It is such an accolade to be recognised in such an Order, and to have the opportunity to do what I love. Miles, whose grandparents came to the UK from Jamaica as part of the Windrush Generation, said that interpretations and experiences will vary depending on factors like class, gender, age and ethnicity. And Glasgow Life, who manage the city’s collections and museums like Kelvingrove and Riverside, have committed to telling these stories, and reflecting on their own part. Miles takes on the role having graduated in Ancient Histories with a Masters in Heritage Studies from Newcastle University, and he has previously worked at Paisley Museum, where he developed a Black History tour of the collection which explored the town’s links with the slave trade. Part of the National Museums Liverpool group, this venue explores historical and contemporary aspects of slavery. © DC Thomson Co Ltd 2021. “It’s such an incredible painting in itself, and visually striking,” Miles said. International Slavery Museum is delighted to announce that Jean-Francois Manicom, curator of Transatlantic Slavery & Legacies has been awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres – ‘Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters’, by the French Minister Of Culture. Museum Curator Education Requirements. Miles Greenwood’s remit will be to ensure the city’s museums continue to tell the story of the impact, which is still seen today reflected in society’s inequalities. Jean-Francois Manicom, the curator of Transatlantic Slavery & Legacies at the renowned International Slavery Museum in Liverpool, Merseyside, was recently awarded a prestigious arts award. “Glasgow has such an obvious connection to empire, and I think it’s important that we listen to people,” Miles said. Get a round-up of stories from The Sunday Post every week. Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica. While Glasgow was quick to reap the benefits of the slave trade, it has taken a much longer time for the city to get over what has been described as a “collective amnesia” when it comes to its involvement. “There are still ways we can do more at GoMA,” Miles said. “It’s made the Caribbean and much of the Americas what they are today.”. These are the things that enriched Glasgow. Glasgow Life, the charity that manages the city’s museums, has appointed Miles Greenwood as its first Curator focussing on the legacies of slavery and empire, to continue to tell the story of the impact the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and the British Empire has had on Glasgow. This display at the International Slavery Museum emphasises how this form of modern slavery is still rife. “Of course, not all museum objects are taken under violence but those that are I think we have to have an honest discussion with the people who are involved about what the best thing to do is. The opening of the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool is part of a series of events across Britain on the bicentenary of the 1807 British law that banned the slave trade. Stephen Carl-Lokko, curator at the International Slavery Museum, says: “This acquisition represents the first painting ever to be acquired by National Museums Liverpool to depict the powerful and resonant iconography of abolition and we are very pleased to add it to our collection. “If those communities want them back, and we are certain that they have been taken by any form of colonial violence then I think that’s something we should explore.”, “Holding on to stolen African objects, hiding them away, is plain wrong”: Author says lockdown gives Britain’s museums chance to address pillaged colonial treasures. Congress accepted both to preserve the delicate balance of power in the U.S. Senate. The International Slavery Museum highlights the international importance of slavery, both in a historic and contemporary context. Miles believes enslavement’s influence on culture is as much a part of the story as the “sheer brutality” of the system. A unique degree, a world first focusing on contemporary forms of slavery, with human rights a core focus. more like this. “For me this is like a dream job, and it’s obviously very important and timely- or maybe slightly overdue. Working with local communities and existing specialist curators, Miles will put together a public programme that will include talks, tours and exhibitions. The cotton would have been the product of the plantations of Southern America, and the importers would almost certainly be making vast profits on the back of slave labour. “Consultation is one way, actually asking people how they think we should be approaching it, but it’s also important to look at ways of incorporating the voices of people, particularly those whose heritage is most closely associated with this history. How society untangles itself from prevailing attitudes and conventions around race dating back centuries has become an even more prominent issue this year. “Museums are a very important part of a wider process,” he explained. “In many ways, they’re key in making historical research accessible to the public, who they serve. ... 6 Ways You Can Celebrate International Women’s Day at Your Museum February 18 2019; ... Rio Slavery Museum Raises Questions. He added: “Anyone who works in interpreting these histories always says that it’s Black History Month every month of the year. Stephen Carl-Lokko, Curator of the International Slavery Museum said the the acquisition represented “the first painting ever to be acquired by National Museums Liverpool to depict the powerful and resonant iconography of abolition”. Slavery is a bit more complex, we certainly don’t have as many objects as we’d like to have that tell the story of slavery. International Slavery Museum. 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Acting curator Jean-Francois Manicom, and guest curator Elizabeth Kwant will be available for interviews. New Film Shows Bluecoat from a Bee’s Eye View, Pilot Ship Edmund Gardner Re-Opens to the Public, Recent Additions to the Artists Directory, The Living Marketplace – New Shop – Get Involved, LightNight presents The Super Sonic Assembly at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. I think people are beginning to have a real desire to understand how history has played a part in that. “I think that’s key to the success of any project like this. Written by Emily Rose Smith, Curator of Contemporary Forms of Slavery at the International Slavery Museum. He added: “When we think of the cultural heritage of slavery often what people think of is things like shackles. International Slavery Museum’s curator awarded Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres. It’s quite intermixed with Catholicism now.”. 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