NMB Team Attends MAC Conference In Panama
The National Museum of Bermuda [NMB] team attended the 2024 Annual Conference of the Museum Association of the Caribbean [MAC] in Panama.
A spokesperson said, “The National Museum of Bermuda [NMB] was strongly represented at the 2024 Annual Conference of the Museum Association of the Caribbean [MAC] in Panama City, Panama. Led by NMB Executive Director Elena Strong, and co-president of MAC, the team included NMB education committee chair and trustee Dr. Janet Ferguson, curator Dr. Deborah Atwood, curatorial assistant Chynna Trott, and curatorial intern and interim MAC secretariat Amani Simons. Together, they showcased the Museum’s initiatives, engaged with Caribbean and Circum-Caribbean museum colleagues, and contributed to key discussions on the future of museums in the region.
MAC Conference Opening Ceremony. Pictured: Matthieu Ecrabet, MAC Director, Alexadra Goodings, MAC Secretary, Dr Ariana Curtis, MAC Director, Dr Shani Roper, MAC Co-President, Minister of Culture, Panama, Maruja Herrera, Elena Strong, MAC Co-President, NMB Executive Director, Susan Garcia, MAC Director, Nyasha Warren, MAC Director
“The conference, ‘The Future of Caribbean Museums: Communities, Co-creation, and Connections,’ was opened by Ms. Strong, who introduced the keynote speaker, Ana Elizabeth González, director of the Museo del Canal. González reflected on the Museo del Canal’s transformation into a dynamic space that preserves Panama’s history and cultural heritage and embraces a broader range of cultural and social narratives. She highlighted the Museo del Canal’s efforts to connect with local communities, foster civic engagement, and establish itself as a key cultural reference for the region, contributing to Panama’s cultural and historical future.
Elena Strong giving opening remarks at MAC Conference Opening Ceremony at Biomuseo
“The Conference had over 200 attendees with 57 presenters representing 25 countries across the region. Over the course of three days, presenters shared insights, explored opportunities for co-creation, and fostered deeper regional collaboration.”
Ms. Simons shared: “In my interim secretariat role and in attending the conference, I have been exposed to a new side of heritage and culture. Working with like-minded individuals from the Caribbean, Latin America, the US and Canada has enhanced my understanding of not just my own history but the Atlantic World as a whole. My biggest takeaway from the conference was a quote that I heard during a presentation: ‘be the subject of history, not the object of it’. I identified with this because highlighting the everyday stories in history is just as important as the ones already being told.”
NMB Team: Dr Janet Ferguson, Amani Simons, Chynna Trott, Elena Strong, Dr Deborah Atwood
The spokesperson said, “Ms. Strong organised a workshop at the conference facilitated by Dr. Ferguson, which brought together 20 museum leaders to creatively imagine what inter regional collaboration could look like. This interactive event allowed participants to share ideas on how museums can best serve their communities, with a focus on amplifying marginalised voices and fostering inclusive cultural spaces.
“Dr. Ferguson was also a presenter, sharing the unique role museums play in fostering community engagement through innovative learning approaches. She highlighted NMB’s Adult Ambassadors programme, which uses facilitation methods, adult education pedagogies, participatory approaches, and dialogic learning to take museum tours to the next level.
Dr Deborah Atwood presenting with Chynna Trott
“In their presentation, Dr. Atwood and Ms. Trott shared insights into NMB’s transformation from a static repository of artifacts to a dynamic hub for community engagement, storytelling, and collaborative creation. They highlighted existing NMB projects that do this work such as ‘Tracing our Roots/Routes’, ‘Bermuda Family Scrapbook’ and ‘Portuguese Voices’.
“A highlight was the keynote speakers’ discussion for MAC’s AGM which focused on the post-COVID challenges facing museums globally. Dr. Oris Sanjur, Deputy Director of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute [STRI] in Panama, and Dr. Ariana A. Curtis, Curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and MAC Director, discussed issues such as resource disparities, the burnout of cultural workers, and the evolving demands on museums in the current cultural and political climate. Dr Sanjur, as the first female leader for STRI, emphasised the importance of resilience, empathetic leadership and fostering safe, healthy environments for both staff and visitors.”
Group of museum leaders who participated in the workshop
Reflecting on the conference, Ms. Strong shared: “Overall, the MAC conference underscored the vital role of museums in the Caribbean and Circum-Caribbean as centers of innovation, dialogue, and cultural resilience. The conversations, ideas, and collaborations developed during this event highlight the importance of these regions in shaping the future of museums worldwide. By continuing to strengthen connections across the Caribbean and beyond, museums in the Caribbean/Circum-Caribbean are positioned to lead the way in co-creating sustainable, inclusive cultural spaces that amplify diverse voices and reflect the dynamic histories of their communities.
“While Bermuda is not geographically located in the Caribbean, we have so much in common with our southern museum colleagues. The conference was key for inspiration, networking, and professional development for the NMB team. Insights gained and relationships established will help guide NMB’s ongoing efforts to be a dynamic and inclusive space that serves our community and preserves Bermuda’s cultural heritage for future generations.”
