Tate Director Maria Balshaw and Nathan Coley for Gathering of Strangers
Friday 9th August
Pilrig St. Paul's Church, 1B Pilrig St, Edinburgh EH6 5AH
7pm
7.30pm
This August, we're thrilled to be welcoming Director of Tate Maria Balshaw and artist Nathan Coley to celebrate Maria's latest book, A Gathering of Strangers. Join us for a powerful, timely and thought-provoking exploration of the transformative role of the museum – and of art – in society today. On this special occasion, Maria and Nathan will be in conversation with Nick Barley, former Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival and Professor in Practice at Durham University.
Gathering of Strangers
In the first two decades of the twenty-first century, museums have experienced unprecedented disruption and change. At the same time, there is a growing debate over what museums are for, who they speak to and what the histories, objects and ideas they are tasked with holding reflect – all taking place within a public sphere that feels increasingly dynamic and volatile.
Taking a wide-ranging and thought-provoking look at the roles and responsibilities of some of our most well-known and beloved public institutions, Gathering of Strangers explores the critical challenges and opportunities for the museum at this point in the twenty-first century. Moving from the historical origins of the gallery to important current debates taking place around art and public engagement, the climate emergency, race equality and decolonisation, and the value of the arts in education – this book sets out the role of art and artists in imagining and shaping our collective future.
It is also a love letter to the museum, from a sector leader who is at the forefront of the cultural conversation today.
About Our Speakers
Maria Balshaw is Director of Tate, a role she has held since June 2017. Previously, she was Director of the Whitworth, University of Manchester; Director of Manchester City Galleries; and Director of Culture for Manchester City Council. Maria is Chair of the National Museum Directors' Council and is a Trustee of the Factory International Board in Manchester. She is also a member of the Women Leaders in Museums Network and a member of the Bizot group of leading global museums. In 2015, she was awarded a CBE for services to the arts.
Nathan Coley is an internationally renowned contemporary artist. He graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 1989 and was shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 2007. His work has been exhibited in exhibitions across the world and is represented in numerous public and private collections.