Womencollections Network; Holly O’Farrell (Web)

Time: 17.-18.03.2022
Venue: Leiden, Netherlands and virtual space
Proposals by: 26.11.2021

The study of women’s place in history, their lives and agency has been a focus of historiography since the mid-20th century. Women were not the passive bystanders they were once believed to be, but were active in society in a variety of ways which were previously overlooked. While not always as well-known as their male counterparts, women have been involved in the development of museums since their conception. Whether as donators, collectors or employees, women have had important roles in the building up and display of collections in museums throughout the world.

This conference seeks to examine women’s involvement with museum collections in the historical setting. The importance in recognizing women’s contribution to museums is at the heart of this conference no matter how controversial that input was. The status of women historically makes they histories of women collectors and contributors a rich area of analysis as issues of gender, race and class both disadvantaged and privileged women to different degrees in different settings.

The relationship between women, museums and collections historically is an important site for understanding connections between people, institutions and objects. The aim of this conference is to share some of these stories and provide a forum for discussion relating to the importance of uncovering these histories. Proposals are welcome from researchers from all areas and themes of papers may include:

• Women’s collections
• Women as donators
• Women and museum work
• Private collections
• Imperialism and women collecting
• Folk museums and women
• Women’s photography collections
• Women travellers and collectors
• Women working in the shadow of men

Please send proposals of up to 350 words to womencollectionsnetwork@gmail.com by November 26th.

Some travel funding available to participants on request.

Source: H-Women daily digest (Web)