To mark International Women’s Day, Thursday 8 March, Scarborough Art Gallery is hosting ‘Glass Ceilings: The Unseen Barriers to Women’s Success’ from 6pm. The ‘In Conversation With’ event invites the public to join in a lively discussion around this year’s theme, #PressForProgress, through discussions with a panel of successful female museum professionals.
Chairing the event will be Dr Sara Perry, a Senior Lecturer in Cultural Heritage Management at the University of York, whose teaching has garnered her multiple local and national teaching awards. Dr Perry’s research centres primarily on the means in which archaeologists present the past to both academic and non-academic audiences including through museums.
Speakers include Jane Glaister OBE former president of the UK Museums Association and government adviser who currently runs her own business as a cultural consultant specialising in Museums, Galleries and Heritage. Jane is also currently Chair at The Art House and Trustee for both Manchester Camerata and Huddersfield University Students Union.
Jane Glaister comments, “This is a time of urgent change. There are barriers for women everywhere, through lack of opportunities, choices and empowerment. This talk is a timely discussion from three professional women who have repeatedly challenged the glass ceiling, that unseen, yet unbreakable barrier that keeps women from rising to senior positions.”
The event also welcomes Barbara Woroncow OBE, whose experience in the sector spans both the UK and the continent advising on museum development. She has been on the appointments panel for Director and Trustee position for major institutions and is currently a Trustee for the Captain Cook Memorial Museum in Whitby. Jane Sellars BA MA FMA, Curator of Art at the Mercer Gallery in Harrogate, will also be speaking at the event. Jane’s illustrious career has included a strong focus on female artists, especially through her ground-breaking exhibition Women’s Works.
International Women’s Day is an annual call-to-action that brings together global governments, women’s organisations, businesses and charities to generate attention and awareness of gender equality. This year also marks the centenary of women’s suffrage, celebrating a key step in the progress towards female emancipation.
The evening event at Scarborough Art Gallery is set to be an inspiring and thought-provoking experience for visitors, featuring a panel of women who have broken through the glass ceiling of the museum world. They will be discussing their experiences and issues surrounding gender equality and parity within the industry.
The panel will also provide an opportunity for both aspiring young people and professionals to learn from the speakers, ask questions and take advice. Equally, following the discussion, there will the chance to network with the speakers.
For more information including the timetable of the event, please visit www.scarboroughmuseumstrust.com. Tickets are £6 for adults, £4.50 for students. Free refreshments will be available. To book, please call 01723 374753.