@Hannah_Museums

Saturday 6th November 2021: Travel Day.

I decided when booking everything that I would be travelling to Liverpool early on Saturday so that I could get checked into the hotel, unpack and do some exploring of the city ahead of everyone else arriving and the start of #Museums2021, turns out this was the best decision as it meant I had a lovely day exploring the city and embracing life as a total tourist! I arrived in Liverpool just after 11am and headed straight to Albert Dock where the lovely Jury’s Inn staff got me checked in straight away with the cutest window view (see below).

About a 5 minute walk away from the hotel was the Beatles Story, which I decided to get some last minute tickets for. For those few people who don’t know, the Beatles were a popular English band from Liverpool who are still to this very day regarded as one of the most influential bands ever.

The Beatles Story was a fun interactive exhibition, which gave visitors the opportunity to see both original and replica items belonging to members of the band whilst walking through an audio led experience, with sets, which often were designed to show real places that the Beatles would have visited, like the Cavern Club on Matthew Street, a club in Liverpool where the Beatles played live 292 times. Tickets for the experience can be booked online for £17.

Sunday 7 November 2021: Exploring Liverpool and the #Museums2021 opening party.
On Sunday I explored more Liverpool museums, including the World Museum, where I got to meet Polpo the Octopus, and explore the Jurassic North West. Of course it wouldn’t be a trip to Liverpool without visiting the iconic Cavern Club.
But the biggest shoutout goes to Sahar, a colleague I met via our Twitter group chats who I met for coffee and breakfast at Bold Street Coffee, it really was a lovely way to start the day. After meeting for the opening party at Liverpool Maritime museum (an absolutely stunning event venue) some of us even decided to go and explore the ‘River of Light’ trail across the city – this was such a fun way to end the day and start off conference.

Monday 8 & Tuesday 9 November 2021: #Museums2021
There’s possibly too much to pack into these two days, but know that it was an incredible two days of learning and reflecting. I loved spending time meeting MA members on the MA Hub and in room 14 for our in person Northern Natters.
Instead of recounting the whole two days, I’ve decided to focus on sharing some of my favourite sessions.

• African Restitution – who is being left behind?
• Launching Supporting Decolonisation in Museums
• Where does it hurt? Exploring workforce wellbeing.
• Collections with feelings.
• Disposal is not a dirty word.
• The Classless Museum (Museum as Muck panel discussion).
• Building community engagement through outdoor spaces.
• The shifting landscape of curation and engagement.
• International exchange: Reimagining the museum of the future.

And of course, the keynote talks which left me stunned.

Wednesday 10 November 2021: Exploring more museums and Cathedrals!
There was the opportunity to stick around an extra day and enjoy tours and talks, but being an introvert I found myself craving “me time” on Wednesday, and so I took the opportunity of another day to be able to explore places at my own pace before meeting with a friend who lives in Liverpool for drinks later in the evening.

My favourite place that I explored was without a doubt Liverpool Cathedral, which might be a little obvious if you saw the striking building plastered all over the top of this page. I loved everything about Liverpool Cathedral, from its stunning architecture to its grounds and the art installation inside the cathedral.

After a chilled out day getting to see my friend again, I was ready for home and in the end I actually decided to book earlier train tickets back the next day as the brilliant but also very intense week that is conference had finally caught up on me.

Thursday 11 November : A very tired Hannah travelled home.

I had so much fun at last years conference! The brave choice to put on an in person event for the first time since COVID proved successful, with many of us being ready for in person networking once again, but the MA also offered people at home the opportunity to join conference sessions in the first attempt at a hybrid event.

Tickets are currently LIVE for #Museums2022 in Edinburgh. Join the fun by booking online today!