On Monday 23 September 2019, the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands (“NGCI”) welcomed delegates from the Museum Store Association Florida and Caribbean Chapter to their annual regional conference. During the three-day conference, delegates visited a wide array of cultural institutions in Grand Cayman and attended six different workshops related to the non-profit retail industry associated with museums.
Ava Maxwell, MSA/FLA Chapter President stated “It has been considered one of the best educational conferences the Florida Chapter has offered, as well as the very first conference organized and planned outside the United States. The 2019 Regional Conference hosted by the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands raised the bar for all! The welcome and hospitality of the cultural institutions and staff members was warm and inviting, while the galleries themselves were beautiful and the art magnificent! The rich history of the island, its culture and people permeated a great sense of pride that was felt throughout our stay in Grand Cayman. The entire Grand Cayman experience was a rewarding one. We all walked away from this conference feeling educated, fulfilled, and happy to have attended.”
This is the third international conference that NGCI has developed and hosted in recent years. These conferences included The Museums Association of the Caribbean in 2016, Tilting Axis/Contemporary Art Initiative in 2017 and now the Museum Store Association Florida Chapter in 2019. Part of NGCI’s mission is to promote professional development in the cultural arts sector in an effort to increase international visibility of Caymanian art and its heritage.
I have attended many MSA/FLA Chapter Meetings and the hospitality of the group from Grand Cayman just blew me away. From the beauty of your island to the incredible collections at your many cultural institutions we could not have asked for more! The entire experience was amazing. I hope to return to your beautiful homeland again soon” said Michell Middleton, MSA FLA Chapter Vice President.
It was an immense honour to host this year’s MSA/FLA Chapter conference. We know that we have created a lasting relationship with all the members and we hope to welcome them back in the very near future” NGCI team.
