/ 1 March 2005

South African curators to bone up skills in London

Britain is offering about 30 training places at some of its most famous museums to help young South African curators hone their skills, British Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell announced on Monday.

The British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Museum of London and the Horniman Museum in south London have agreed to provide six-month placements that will help South Africans develop their museum management and specialist curatorial abilities.

The scheme, to cost 300 000 pounds (R3 351 688) over the next three years, is being paid for by the British government under a partnership with the South African Department of Arts and Culture.

”People working in the UK’s museums have a world-class reputation thanks to their skill and expertise,” said Jowell in a statement.

”This is a chance for some of that to be passed on to South Africa, to help its museums develop the highest standards as they continue the task of recording and preserving their heritage.” – Sapa-AFP