Gathering of Strangers: Why Museums Matter

Join us for a very special Thursday Late, where culture leader Maria Balshaw will be in conversation with visual artist Cornelia Parker about her latest book.

‘Public institutions do not sit “outside” society, they are the barometer of time and place. How museums and galleries open themselves up to change and engage dissenting voices is not obvious or easy, but as a recent visitor said, “art is an invitation to a conversation” – so perhaps our role might be to unlock that conversation.’ Maria Balshaw

A powerful, timely and thought-provoking exploration of the transformative role of the museum – and of art – in society today.

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.

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 of Manchester City Galleries; and Director of Culture for Manchester City Council. Maria is Chair of the National Museums Director’s 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, Maris was awarded a CBE for services to the arts.

Cornelia Parker CBE RA is a leading English sculptor and installation artist who was shortlisted for The Turner Prize in 1997. Parker had major exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney 2019 and at Tate Britain in 2022. She was the first woman artist to undertake The Met Museum’s annual roof commission, creating an installation Transitional Object (PsychoBarn) 2017. The piece was constructed from the timbers of an old red barn, which were transformed into the set of Hitchcock’s film Psycho. The piece was later exhibited in the courtyard of the Royal Academy in 2018.

Cornelia Parker’s work features in prominent collections such as MoMA and Metropolitan Museum, New York, the Tate Gallery, the British Council, the Henry Moore Foundation, The Museum of Modern Art in Fort Worth, Texas, and the Yale Centre for British Art.

Doors will open at 6pm, with the event starting at 6:30pm. A cashless bar will be available, and the Whitworth Cafe and Shop will both be open during the day and evening. Copies of the book will be on sale.

About the venue

The Whitworth is a venue with level access throughout, and facilities to support you during your visit. Alongside this our visitor team will be on hand to assist you in the gallery. Find out more about planning your visit to the Whitworth and accessibility information for you.

If you’d like to speak to a team member about any access or additional needs, please get in touch with the gallery and we will be happy to assist you. Email [email protected] or telephone 0161 275 7450.

This event is co-presented with Creative Manchester, and is part of the ‘Solstice and Equinox series', which brings innovative creative artists to The University of Manchester’s four Cultural Institutions. Each of our unique cultural institutions – The Whitworth, the John Rylands Research Institute and Library, Manchester Museum and Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre – focus on building civic, national and international partnerships to advance the social, environmental and individual wellbeing of our communities.

Creative Manchester is an interdisciplinary research platform based at The University of Manchester. The platform champions research in creativity and creative practice, bringing together research communities with external partners to explore new research areas and address strategic opportunities. Please visit the website for more information about Creative Manchester.

Host or Publisher The Whitworth