76th SAMA Annual Conference: Museums in a Changing World

A wide range of presentations and discussions focusing on sub-themes around museums took place at the 76^th SAMA National Conference in Paarl. The annual conference hosted by the South African Museums Association and its partners, started on Tuesday, 30 October 2012, and ended on Thursday, 1 November.

The following sub-themes were identified – Communities in Flux, Heritage Sector, Accreditation, Standards and Training, New Technologies, Green Revolution and Education for the Future.

The theme for the 2012 International Museum, “Museums in a Changing World”, served as the point of departure in all the discussions. The organisers therefore recommended that papers and presentations focus on change.

This theme recognises that museums and other heritage institutions are faced with the challenge of interpreting, and existing, in a field that is becoming increasingly fluid. While each institution may have a unique set of goals, interests and audiences, the necessity to thrive in the face of change, binds all museums, large and small.