Sophie Barker’s Post

🧠How's your brain? Ready for a Brainstorm? We'd love your ideas for our heritage festival. My idea, starter for 10, is a High Tea 🍵 on the top of NZ's first skyscraper. Chocolate fish 🐟 for anyone who can name that building! Did you know Heritage is Dunedin's Superpower🧡? We've 144 Category 1 sites, and that's just a start... Here's the details - if you can't come pop your ideas in the comments 🙏 DUNEDIN HERITAGE FESTIVAL BRAINSTORM ALL WELCOME! Date: March 19 2024 Time: 5.30pm (90 mins) Venue: Dunedin Gasworks Museum Purpose: To Brainstorm ideas for the Dunedin Heritage Festival – to create NZ's premiere heritage event. Process: 1. Introduction: Where we’ve been. Where we want to go (10 mins) 2. Brainstorm: (20 mins) Do a SWOT of Dunedin’s Heritage Festival 3. Report Back (10 mins) 4. Brainstorm (20 mins) Create ideas for festival events / partners/ sustainability 5. Report back (10 mins) 6. Summary and Thanks (10 mins Festivals are fun for both locals and visitors and an ideal way for Dunedin, New Zealand’s Heritage city, to promote our special historic character and vibrant culture. All ideas will spark more creative innovation. Join us, in to contribute to the groundwork for an annual Festival. The more the merrier!

SUKKOT: From Desert to Dreaming and Back to Today Sukkot may have originated in Israel but its message resonates here in Australia. Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' traditional wisdom and deep relationship with the land provide a unique lens through which to view and appreciate our festival today. One of the central foci of Sukkot is the sukkah, that fragile hut with a leafy roof through which we can see the sky. Reminding us of the Israelites' journey through the desert, our focus on embracing simplicity and nature during this time parallels the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' practices of living in harmony with the natural environment. Just as, for tens of thousands of years, Indigenous Australians have managed our land sustainably through their understanding of the seasons and the cycles of growth and renewal, so too does Sukkot celebrate the rhythms of the natural world. In Israel, Sukkot marks the end of the summer harvest but here in Australia, with Sukkot falling in Spring, our blooming flowers and budding trees complement the festival’s theme of renewal and growth. Our Indigenous cultures teach that caring for the land is an act of respect and a way to honour the interconnectedness of all living things. As we wave the arba minim — the palm, myrtle, willow and etrog – we’re reminded of our connection to the environment and of our responsibility to nurture and preserve it for future generations. Sukkot is a time for community with an emphasis on the value of hospitality. With social connections becoming more and more fragmented in today’s world, the open structure of the sukkah reflects Australia’s open culture of welcoming others and creating a sense of belonging. Sukkot provides an opportunity for us to demonstrate those core values, to strengthen connections and to embrace the idea that true security is found not in physical structures but in the bonds we create with each other. Sukkot’s message is simple but powerful: life is fleeting, nature is a gift and community is essential. By embracing the essence of Sukkot, we aim to find joy in the present, to cherish the world around us and to seek comfort not in what is permanent but in what is meaningful.

Increased Museum Attendance During International Events: A Cultural Boost International events have a remarkable way of bringing the world together—and for museums, they offer an incredible opportunity to showcase culture and heritage to a global audience. Whether it's during world expos, sporting events, or international conferences, museums often experience a surge in attendance as visitors seek to explore the local culture and history. This increase in museum foot traffic not only highlights the power of cultural tourism but also reinforces the role of museums as vital community spaces. For many, museums become gateways to understanding the host country's identity, providing deeper context to the international event itself. With strategic planning, museums can harness these moments to engage new audiences, promote their collections, and offer unique, event-themed programming. The ripple effect of increased awareness and appreciation for cultural institutions can have lasting benefits for both the museum and the local economy. Let’s continue to celebrate the vital role of museums in connecting people across borders, fostering cultural exchange, and creating lasting memories during international events. 🌍🏛️ #Museums #CulturalTourism #InternationalEvents #MuseumAttendance #CulturalHeritage #GlobalConnection #eminspost #eminmuseum

We're going to talk about how special small, off-the-beaten-path museums are for travelers. These places are filled with unique things to see and learn. Yet, many people miss out on them because they're not as famous. Let's dive into the magic these hidden museums hold. Key Takeaways: - Small museums provide unique and culture-rich experiences for travelers. #HiddenGems #offthebeatenpath #SmallMuseums #TravelerExperiences #UnconventionalMuseums

As we head into the Autumn/ Winter it's always worthwhile reflecting on how summer was. For me? I spent August changing nappies and shushing our baby to sleep every three hours. But the industry has had a "mixed bag" to say the least. Read Simon's latest article, and find out the trends you can capitalise on in the next few months. #marketing #visitorattraction #visitors

The World’s 20 Best Cities for Culture Right Now The Time Out team quizzed over 21,000 city-dwellers to find out the world’s greatest cities for art and culture. Each city on this list has earned its place through a meticulous curation process. Locals were quizzed on their city’s best cultural venues and experiences, and were also asked to score their city’s cultural offering based on both its quality and affordability. Of course, affordability is relative here: what’s considered cheap to locals in one city might not be to those in another. But whether it’s because of discounted museum entry for locals or free open-air festivals, these are destinations where art and culture won’t break the bank. Here are the top 10 — full article in the comments. Credit: Grace Beard #mexico #mexicocity #latinamerica #bestcities #culture

Our latest report for Museums Aotearoa looks into the economic impact of regional clusters of museums and galleries. A key focus is on Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Museums and galleries play a significant role in our local and national economies through their contributions to tourism, gross domestic product (GDP), and curriculum-focused education. Data collected from 52 institutions reveals that museums and galleries are exposed to significant operational risks, which have been amplified by the impact of COVID-19. #economicimpact #education #museums #galleries #regionalNZ

When considering art destinations in the Northeast, it's easy to focus on major cities like New York and Boston with their renowned museums. However, these aren’t the only cultural hubs worth exploring. Here are four road trip ideas to Northeast cities that are also artistic havens. Start exploring in #YourAAA.

🇨🇦 meetings.mtl.org - OASIS immersion, what a special experience! 🌻🌿 #AMCsEngaged #associationmanagement #asae #pcma #siteglobal #cesse #mpi #necvbreps #nysae #eventprofs #meetingprofs

Melbourne has ranked in the top 20 cities in the world for culture! We came 14th in the world and number one in Australia. Who doesn’t love to attend one of Melbourne’s various cultural events? Not only are we home to many shows, but we were also the second city to be designated a UNESCO City of Literature. This result comes as no surprise. The Committee’s Living in Melbourne 2024 report, which surveyed 1,000 Melbourne residents on their quality of life, revealed that many residents had attended cultural activities in Melbourne in the previous six months. 🎸32% attended a concert or live music 🎨25% visited an art gallery 🎭18% saw a theatre production While it’s clear that there’s an appetite for culture and the arts, broadly speaking, those living in inner Melbourne attend cultural events more often than those in outer Melbourne. The report highlights that 79% of people experience regular barriers to participating in events and activities in Melbourne. The most common was financial barriers at 52%, and 24% of people felt it was too hard to get to events. With Melbourne’s population forecast to reach nine million by mid-century, enhanced connectivity and higher-density living is needed to allow all Melburnians to experience and enjoy the city’s broad cultural offering. Read Living in Melbourne 2024 report: https://lnkd.in/gAkk4DUS Read Timeout’s article: https://lnkd.in/gb62JpBW