Museum professionals from English-speaking Africa have been invited by International Council of Museums, ICOM, ICOM-Germany, ICOM Zambia and the Museum of European Cultures – National Museums in Berlin (MEK) to apply for a month-long study visit that will take place in Berlin, Germany in Spring/Summer of 2020.
The exchange programme is based on the idea of mutual learning and professional dialogue to the benefit of both parties involved. It is also designed to respond to the professional needs and wishes of the participant or his/her institution related to conservation and storage methods while allowing for extensive and mutual knowledge exchange between the participant and German museum professionals.
The programme will take place in Berlin and will cover the cost of flight tickets, visa, accommodation, daily allowance and transportation in Germany for the different visits and activities. The successful candidate will be committed to participate in all activities and to complete the full programme.
For the second part of the programme, a museum professional from Germany will collaborate on-site with a museum in Zambia which will take place in 2021.
The participant will also have the opportunity to collaborate on an exhibition project and propose new ways to interpret the European collections on display at MEK from her/his particular perspective.
To be eligible for the programme, the museum professionals who should not be more than 45 years of age is expected to hold a curatorial or research position (at any level) in a recognised museum of an English-speaking African country; be member of ICOM; be fluent in English and/or German while having an interest in the topic of the exhibition; European cultural encounters illustrated by objects of everyday life from the 18th century to today.
The applications must be accompanied a motivation letter including the areas of interest the applicant would like to discuss and learn during his/her study visit, and his/her ideas on how to collaborate on the exhibition. Other documents include a Curriculum Vitae including education, training, work experience, publications and current work responsibilities (three pages maximum); a letter of recommendation signed by the director of the museum where the applicant is currently working; proof of payment of 2019 or 2020 membership fees, a copy of the card with 2019 or 2020 sticker or official document from the National Committee.
The successful applicant is also required to submit a copy of the first page of the passport which must be valid up to at least until 30 April 2021.
All applications should be submitted by filling in the online form before midnight (CET+1) on the 8th of March 2020.
