International Training Programme, British Museum 2022: Priyanka Kundu
Priyanka Kundu is the 2022 recipient of the British Museum’s International Training Programme. She is currently a Museum Keeper at the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum.
In the blog post below she shares her experiences and learnings.
After an e-learning session (from 22 August – 2 September, 2022) and the virtual meetings with the ITP team and colleagues, I landed in London on September 17th, 2022 for the onsite programme (19 September – 14 October, 2022). The date is significant not only because it marks my first trip abroad, but also because I reached just two days before Queen Elizabeth's funeral procession. I was excited to catch a glimpse of this historic event.
Priyanka with the ITP fellows at Stonehenge
I am Priyanka Kundu and I have been working as a museum keeper at the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum in Ahmedabad (Gujarat, India) since 2018. At present, I lead the ‘Outreach and Educational Activities’ programme of the Museum. My job made me realize the necessity to make art accessible to the community and also the challenges towards achieving that goal. During this crucial period of my career, I wanted to prepare myself to make a significant contribution to the institution's vision and goal and this was one of the reasons behind seeking an opportunity to be a part of a larger, global exposure like the British Museum’s International Training Programme (ITP). The programme has provided me with an enriching experience and also an opportunity to meet and interact with some fantastic colleagues from all around the world. We have been inspired by each other's ideas and have grown together from our mistakes.
Inside the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA), Cambridge
I would like to thank the ITP team for designing such a thorough programme. Throughout the programme we had been exposed to a wide range of aspects of museum profession i.e. collection management, collection care, permanent and temporary display, museum management, museum audiences, digital outreach etc. We have experienced a variety of museums, both in and outside of London. I learned more about how various museums function and how each has its unique personality. For a museum professional like me who endeavors to make the museum collection accessible to wider audiences, visiting many special curated exhibitions, discussing the layers of curatorial thought process, understanding strategies for target audiences and digital outreach was very thought-provoking.
My visit to the Glasgow Museums (UK Partner Museum) added another dimension to my ITP journey. Me and two other ITP fellows from South America spent a week in Glasgow. It was an opportunity to experience the regional museums and their various methods of governance and funding. I was mesmerized by seeing the different creative mediums which they have developed over the years not only to make the collection accessible to the community, but also to make museum spaces as a forum of interactions. It was beneficial to have several discussions about community engagement with the members of Glasgow Museums' outreach team (The Open Museum). Three of us began working on a mini-exhibition on the theme of ‘Journeys’ for the Open Museum with the help of the curators. The exhibition is still in process.
Inside the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow
My soul, which is deeply rooted in art history, was beyond happy during my ITP journey as I had several opportunities to witness some of the masterpieces of world art history, which I had only seen as reproductions in art history books. I gained better confidence and clarity on my practice as a museum professional and also developed a fresh perspective to analyse my work space. This will be one of the milestones for my future endeavors. My place on the International Training Programme was generously supported by the Charles Wallace India Trust and Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to them for giving me an opportunity to experience the diverse world of museum profession. After the four productive weeks, I travelled back to my country with a fresh outlook and a suitcase full of beautiful memories.
Top Image: Priyanka at the Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery of China and South Asia, British Museum
