Annual Review 2009 - National Museums Liverpool

AROUND THE WORLD
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walker art gallery
Home to one of the best collections of fine and decorative art in Europe,
where masterpieces by Rembrandt
and Monet rub shoulders with works by contemporary artists such as Hockney and Doig. The stylish
craft and design gallery covers
Wedgwood to Westwood, and Big Art for Little Artists, our dedicated
children’s gallery, brings art to life
through paintings, sculpture, toys
and costumes.
world museum
World Museum combines treasures
from across the globe with the latest technology and live exhibits.
Our interactive ‘hands-on’ centres
help visitors get up close to everything
from tropical fish to ancient fossils.
The Treasure House Theatre hosts
live performances and we house the
country’s only free planetarium.
sudley house
Sudley House is a sandstone
mansion set in the leafy suburbs of
south Liverpool that contains the only
art collection of a Victorian merchant
still to be found in its original setting.
The collection of ship magnate,
George Holt, has been redisplayed,
and reinterpreted through the eyes of
the Holt family and includes works by
Gainsborough, Reynolds, Landseer
and Turner.
our
V e nue S
merseyside maritime museum
Merseyside Maritime Museum tells of
Liverpool’s illustrious maritime history
and the city’s role as a gateway to the
New World. From the tragic tales of
Titanic and Lusitania to the story of
emigration, the museum documents
centuries at sea.
national conservation centre
Seized! the border and
The National Conservation Centre is a unique venue. Our highly skilled conservators preserve and
restore priceless objects from Roman sculptures to Cold War
spacesuits. The Reveal gallery gives
an insight into conservators’ work through fascinating displays
and interactive activities. Customs Uncovered
museum of liverpool
Opening in 2011, the Museum of
Liverpool is the largest newly-built
national museum in Britain for more
than a century. It is the world’s first
national museum devoted to the
history of a regional city, reflecting
Liverpool’s global significance through
its unique geography, history and
culture. Liverpool’s newest waterfront
landmark, the Museum is the major
physical and cultural legacy of 2008,
the city’s year as European Capital of Culture.
The UK Border Agency National
Museum examines the intriguing and
controversial story of Britain’s taxes
and duties.
Lady lever art gallery
Nestled in Port Sunlight village, the Lady Lever Art Gallery holds a
magnificent collection of Victorian
and Pre-Raphaelite paintings,
beautiful furniture and the best set of
Wedgwood Jasperware in the world.
A new permanent display tells the story of William Hesketh Lever,
founder of the Gallery.
international slavery museum
The International Slavery Museum
looks at the historical and
contemporary aspects of slavery,
addressing the many legacies of the
transatlantic slave trade and telling
stories of bravery and rebellion
amongst enslaved people. Freedom,
identity, human rights and Black
achievement are all explored.
ge of di s c ove ry
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A message from the Chair ...
A message from the Director
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National Museums Liverpool would
like to thank Simon Webb, Mills Media,
Mark McNulty, Ben Johnson,
Joel Chester Fildes, Ron Davies,
The Henry E Huntington Library,
Art Collections and Botanical Gardens,
Redman Design, Stephen King,
Liverpool Daily Post and Echo.
Design and art direction
Georgia Design Associates
www.georgiadesign.com
a m e s s a g e f r om
th e c h a i r
2
009 was always going to have something of a ‘day after’ feel to it for all the arts and culture
organisations in Liverpool, following the extraordinary success of the European Capital of Culture year, 2008.
However, it is very pleasing to be able to report that for National Museums Liverpool, although seeing the expected dip in visitor
numbers following that extraordinary year, the figure of 2,282,562 is more than 2007’s 2,010,666, and demonstrates an
underlying continued growth since 2000.
It is even more pleasing that
visitor numbers held up as the
past year has been remarkable
in its own right, covering the
height of the global financial
crisis that is still causing so
much uncertainty at the time of
writing. While this is a great
tribute to the continuing work of
staff and Trustees alike, the
immediate future is one of
concern. A concern shared by
all culture organisations as to
whether the increasing pressure
on public funds will result in
major cuts.
Whether and how this manifests itself only
time will decide, but within National Museums
Liverpool’s own history, as befitting a
museums service, there are pointers from
the past. The collections themselves tell
various tales of past merchant wealth and
philanthropy that gifted both the objects
and buildings that house them. The street
that is home to both the Walker Art Gallery
and World Museum is named after one such
benefactor, William Brown.
Brown was a banker and Walker was a
brewer, just as the Lady Lever Art Gallery came
from Lord Leverhulme, the soap manufacturer,
and Sudley House holds the collection of
ship magnate George Holt. Great private
wealth created great, internationally important
collections, recognised in 1986 when
National Museums Liverpool was established.
That this was done at another time of economic
and political turmoil provides another pointer
to the future from our own past. Museums
and galleries matter. They are important
because they are the repositories of our own
culture, our shared pasts and shared values.
This is why, even when facing an uncertain
future, we need to look forward with optimism
and ambition.
Ambition that is making the new Museum of
Liverpool part of the world heritage waterfront.
Ambition that reminds both public and
government that museums and galleries, like
culture itself, are not a luxury but an important
necessity. They are what shapes us. They are
what changes lives.
While we have no doubt that by the time
the Museum of Liverpool opens in 2011 we
will be facing a more challenging time,
we also have no doubt that National Museums
Liverpool is in robust health, ready to meet
challenges. The continuing underlying upward
trend in visitor numbers also indicates that
while we take confidence from our own past,
we also have great public support.
It is from the latter that we will draw strength
to face the future.
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a m e s s a g e f r om
th e d i r e ctor
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‘
watershed year’ is how I would describe 2009 for National Museums Liverpool,
though not, perhaps, for the reasons that most people might expect.
Assessing and reassessing where Liverpool
is as a city has become something of a
favourite local pastime, and for good reason.
This city, which has endured a national
reputation envied by no-one, is being reinvented.
No-one should underestimate the distance
Liverpool still needs to travel to catch up
with our city competitors, like Manchester and
Leeds, but the Liverpool I see around me
today is vastly different from the one I found
when I came here from Newcastle in 2001.
No longer do well-off people feel the need
to drive to Manchester or Chester to do their
shopping. The city used to haemorrhage
money because of its lack of modern
facilities, its poor hotels, its limited choice of
restaurants, and it’s money that creates jobs.
So after a triumphant year as European
Capital of Culture, 2009 saw new levels of
confidence and achievement throughout
Liverpool’s cultural sector, as elsewhere.
At National Museums Liverpool we played
a part in this renaissance, and saw visitors
through our doors, as expected, in numbers
never matched prior to 2008.
But it’s internally that the really important
changes have taken place at National
Museums Liverpool, ones which set us up
for such a valuable and exciting future.
2009 saw the publication of a Strategic Plan,
which to be honest is the first such plan in
my time as Director that I think really captures
where we are and what we think at National
Museums Liverpool. The Plan came about
through a lot of consultation among staff and
Trustees, and it places great emphasis on our
educational role, and on the entitlement of
the whole public to get involved in what we do.
‘We are a democratic museum service and
we believe in the concept of social justice’
states the Plan. Our commitment to social
justice should not be underestimated, and it’s
this commitment among staff and Trustees that
makes National Museums Liverpool truly special.
We have undergone many changes over
the past few years, and sometimes the
change has been a bit painful, as change
often is. However, what has emerged
from the changes is a world class museum
service where confidence and ambition
have become the norm, where achievements
are celebrated, and where we have a
growing sense of common purpose, which is
to run the best museums in the country
for the use and pleasure of as many people
as possible.
What comes next will be
interesting, of course. Public
finances are under severe
threat, and there are likely to be
budget reductions throughout
the public sector. The cultural
sector never has enough
money, so a period of
belt-tightening will be nothing
new. Nonetheless, the measure
of National Museums
Liverpool’s excellence will be
how well we manage ourselves
during very hard economic
times. I am sure that we have
the talent and attitude to survive
and prosper, even during the
tough financial times ahead.
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Iceland : Shoot Nations
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irst stop on our 2009 journey was a glimpse of the past at the venue of
the future. The Transitions Ceremony, a sound, light and visual spectacular brought
Liverpool’s reign as European Capital of Culture to a close. A 60,000 strong crowd
watched highlights of 2008 beamed onto a giant screen at the new Museum of Liverpool.
“National Museums Liverpool will continue to underpin
the region’s cultural riches, and with the Museum of
Liverpool, the cultural legacy will live long and help
the city’s renaissance and economic regeneration”
Phil Redmond Capital of Culture Creative Director
and National Museums Liverpool Chairman
the prime minister, Gordon Brown, attended
the first ever Cabinet meeting in the city and took
the opportunity to pay a visit to the Museum of Liverpool.
Mr Brown was greeted by young people from the Portrait
of a Nation project and the Museum’s youth champions,
and toured the vast building with curators, who highlighted
some of the key objects that will be on show when the
Museum opens in 2011.
Superfive-a-daybanana, previously on show at
the Walker Art Gallery, continued his trip around schools in
Kensington, spreading the word about healthy eating to
local children.
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nal Slavery
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Recollections at the National
Conservation Centre showcased photographs
from Philip Jones Griffiths, best known for his
depiction of the Vietnam War that redefined
photojournalism. Visitors were captivated
by the first exhibition of the former Magnum
president’s British work since he died in
2008. Shots of Liverpool street scenes sat
alongside images of cultural icons and
photographs documenting the conflict in
Northern Ireland.
The International Slavery Museum displayed
contemporary photographs taken by young people as part of the Shoot Nations
global competition. The images captured the impact of global warming
and intensive farming on environments as diverse as Iceland and Johannesburg.
The competition was a result of a partnership between Plan,
the international children’s charity, and Shoot Experience.
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france : The Impressionists
F
ebruary at the art galleries welcomed designer
names, French masters and striking paintings. Works by Monet, Degas, Rodin and
Renoir were on show at the Lady Lever Art Gallery. French Impressionists offered the rare
opportunity to see paintings and sculptures usually on display in Sweden’s capital, as well
as major works from the Walker Art Gallery’s collections. The thirteen Impressionist and
Post-Impressionist works were displayed in an intimate exhibition that celebrated some of
the key figures of this pioneering art movement. This international exchange with
Nationalmuseum Stockholm also saw a number of the Lady Lever’s famous 19th century
paintings head to Sweden for an exhibition devoted to the Pre-Raphaelites.
Fashion v Sport at the Walker Art
Gallery explored the relationship
between contemporary fashion and
global sportswear brands over the last 20
years. This stylish exhibition from London’s
Victoria and Albert Museum featured
designer names such as Stella McCartney
and Vivienne Westwood, and showed
how sportswear staples have been
redefined as must-have fashion items.
Lady Lever Art Gallery
Walker Art Galle
ry
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a series of remarkable
paintings was on display in George
always - portraits of George Melly by
Maggi Hambling. The jazz performer, surrealist,
comic, raconteur, critic and author was
captured in this exhibition of portraits by
friend and artist, Maggi Hambling. This rich
celebration was shown together for the first
time at the Walker Art Gallery. It included
ink drawings from life, oil paintings made
during his final days, and a series of portraits
painted from memory and imagination.
the international Slavery
Museum was home to My Life, My Words,
a display of videos and images exploring
the lives and experiences of three
individuals from Liverpool’s Black
communities, and their relationships with
an ever-changing city.
nal Slavery
Internatio
Walker Art Gallery
a fascinating public
seminar to mark US Black
History Month looked at the
progress of the Civil Rights
movement in the 150 years
from Abraham Lincoln to new
US President Barack Obama.
Following the seminar, a
photograph of Barack Obama
was added to the inspirational
Black Achievers’ Wall at the
International Slavery Museum.
Museum
a commemorative piece of
jewellery, designed to celebrate
Liverpool’s year as Capital of Culture was
unveiled. Maggie Lingard’s The Children
of Liverpool was crowned winner of a
competition run in collaboration with Boodles
jewellers and Open Culture. Representing
Liverpool’s past, present and future, the
brooch symbolises the lasting legacies of
2008, and will form part of a display in the
new Museum of Liverpool.
“I feel George would be tickled pink
that these pictures of him are first
seen in Liverpool, where he was born
and at the Walker, which he loved”
Maggi Hambling
Artist and friend of George Melly
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Galapagos Islands : Charles Darwin
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e launched an innovative new storybook at the Walker to
encourage young visitors to explore and enjoy the gallery. Something Wild… at the
Walker Art Gallery was produced by National Museums Liverpool and Liverpool Childcare
and Family Information Services. The story follows youngsters Keith and Ali on an adventure
round the gallery as they discover new paintings, sculpture and objects. The book is
a unique and creative way of introducing museums and galleries to children aged five to
nine, their parents, schools and learning practitioners.
our volunteers with their
specialist knowledge, skills
and incredible enthusiasm were yet again
invaluable throughout 2009. March was
a big month for members of our youth
volunteering programme, funded by v, the
youth volunteering charity. Harriet Gilmour,
one of our young volunteers, presented
a paper at the Working with Youth Boards
seminar day at Manchester Museum,
and Sarah Pidsley received a v50 Award
certificate for her work in Big Art at the Walker.
Walker Art Gallery
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ary of the
th
The 200 annivers
Darwin
birth of Charles
. World Museum
was celebrated in 2009
ions and
hosted a series of exhibit
olutionary theories.
events exploring his rev
ked at the people,
Voyage of the Beagle loo
rwin encountered on
places and species Da
e around the world,
his epic five-year voyag
Science Week in
and kicked off National
and interactive
March. Trails, role-plays
dbreaking ideas
exhibits brought his groun
alike.
to life for young and old
World Museum
Only A Game? The UEFA
exhibition at World Museum,
which explored Europe’s
love affair with the beautiful
game, played host to a
debate on the future of
European football. UEFA
teamed up with Kick It Out,
football’s equality and
inclusion campaign,
to ask why racism still haunts
football, and what we can do
to stop it. Former Tottenham
Hotspur player and BBC
pundit, Garth Crooks OBE,
Daily Telegraph sports writer
Henry Winter and UEFA
spokesman William Gaillard
were among the panellists.
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maritime collections
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andbags, shoes, hatpins and gowns were the order of the day at Sudley
House as stunning clothes from the wardrobe of Liverpool lady Emily Margaret Tinne,
went on show. A Sweet Life displayed just a small part of the collection the wealthy
doctor’s wife purchased between 1910 and 1940, and gave a fascinating insight into the
fashions of the time and Emily’s love for shopping.
Sudley House
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Museum of
Liverpool
Merseyside Maritime
Museum acquired some
important pieces of maritime
history. A pennant from the
flagship Cunard liner QE2,
originally given to Liverpool City
Council during the ship's farewell
visit to the city, was presented
by Liverpool’s Lord Mayor
Councillor Steve Rotheram.
The 39 foot-long pennant now
hangs proudly in the Life at Sea
gallery, a fitting symbol of
Liverpool’s close relationship
with the QE2 and Cunard.
“The city is thrilled the
museums have agreed to
display this symbolic pennant
as a lasting memento of our
illustrious connections with
Cunard. Liverpool’s maritime
history is one that reaches
around the world”
Members of the public were
invited to indulge in some creative writing
with a difference as part of the Liverpool
Map project. Sessions were held at
Merseyside Maritime Museum and
BBC Radio Merseyside to encourage
people to write about their favourite and
most memorable places in Liverpool.
Some of the stories will appear in their
authors’ own handwriting in the community
layer of the Liverpool Map. The huge
multi-layered glass map is currently
being created by international glasswork
artists Inga Panels and Jeffrey Sarmiento
for the Museum of Liverpool.
World Museum became the
new home for a colony of rare
acid-spitting ‘domino’ beetles. The only
colony of its kind in the UK outside London
Zoo, it is hoped the eight Indian Ground
Beetles, known as domino beetles because
of their white spots, will become the first ever
to breed in captivity.
Steve Rotheram
Lord Mayor of Liverpool
The Museum’s Titanic collections
were also added to in the form
of a model of the Mount Temple,
a Liverpool-registered ship that
responded to the Titanic’s
distress signals, and original
postcards from Titanic crew
member Thomas Jones and
passenger Cosmo Duff Gordon.
World Museum
Merseyside
useum
Maritime M
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a dignified return
to canberra
.
chinese family trees
and
japanese toggle
treasures
.
,
macca s trousers
on show
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australia
A
traditional ceremony at World Museum marked the
return of an indigenous human skull to Australia. The human remains were handed
to representatives of the Ngarrindjeri people in a private commemoration, following a
request from the Australian Government for National Museums Liverpool to return items to
their country of origin. A public ceremony saw members of the Ngarrindjeri perform rituals,
including a ceremony using smouldering eucalyptus leaves. The remains will be kept
at the National Museum of Australia, Canberra where they will be given appropriate care.
Eventually they may be buried if returned to their original communities.
World Museum
Local people with Chinese
heritage traced and developed their
family trees as part of a research project for
the China, Shanghai and Liverpool
exhibition for the Museum of Liverpool. The
display in the Global City gallery will explore
Liverpool’s relationship with China, from
historic links to modern connections.
A collection of intricately-carved
Japanese netsuke (kimono sash toggles)
went on public display for the first
time at World Museum. The 128 miniature
treasures were amassed by leading
Swedish collector, Jonas G Gadelius, and
were donated by Jonas’ widow, Gabita,
to World Museum’s renowned collection
of Japanese art.
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the beat goes on at
World Museum welcomed a
special guest who presented
a new addition to the exhibition
devoted to Liverpool’s music.
Celebrated poet Roger McGough
lent the Museum a unique pair
of trousers that once belonged
to Sir Paul McCartney, and
inspired McGough’s poem,
To Macca’s Trousers.
Previously unseen photographs
of the Liverpool music scene thrilled
visitors to the National Conservation Centre.
Sound and Vision: Music and Fashion
photographed by Francesco Mellina,
Liverpool,1978-82 captured the
excitement and diversity of the scene
from the late 1970s to the early 1980s.
From Punks to New Romantics, the
photographs documented the looks
and sounds of performers and fans.
Stylish current residents of Liverpool
were given the chance to have
their picture taken by Mellina, with the
most unusual and quirky winning
a spot in the exhibition. Entrants were
judged by community consultation
co-ordinator Helen Robinson and
Liverpool designer Kirsty Doyle who
crowned best friends, Abbey Hewitson
and Laura Johnson, the queens of style.
World Museum
World Museum
National Conservation Centre
“I was friends with Mike
McCartney at a time when
I began teaching in local
schools. It was obvious
that I needed to smarten
up and make an effort
at work in order to set an
example to the pupils,
and Mike suggested I have
some of his brother’s cast
offs. It’s strange to think
that when I used to wear
them, the thought never
crossed my mind that my
mate’s brother’s trousers
would one day be hung
on the wall of a museum!”
Roger McGough Poet
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capturing the
famous on film
.
awards received
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insights and initiatives
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kenya : Peterson Kamwathi prints
A
retrospective of captivating images from Cecil Beaton,
one of the most celebrated photographers of the 20th century, was on show at the
Walker. Covering five remarkable decades of Beaton’s career, the exhibition from the
National Portrait Gallery captured 50 years of fashion, art and celebrity. Stylish, elegant and
glamorous, highlights of the exhibition included portraits of Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Onassis,
Audrey Hepburn and Queen Elizabeth II.
One of our stars of 2008 was a
double award winner at the annual
Mersey Partnership (TMP) Tourism Awards.
Art in the Age of Steam, the Walker’s
highly acclaimed exhibition that captured
the excitement of the steam train in art,
scooped Tourism Experience of the Year
and Tourism Marketing Project of the Year.
World Museum marked Learning
Disability Week by screening a series of
free films in the Treasure House Theatre,
highlighting the experiences of people with
learning disabilities. Ros Blackburn gave a
talk entitled Logically Illogical: Insight and
Information into Autism, giving a fascinating
personal insight into her experience of living
with severe autism, as part of the national
awareness week organised by Mencap.
A selection of prints by Kenyan
artist Peterson Kamwathi were on display
at World Museum. The series of five
woodcut prints explored events in Kenya’s
recent political history and centred round
the image of a bull, which represents the
Kenyan nation.
Walker Art Gallery
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16
ry
Walker Art Galle
Refugee Week saw the launch of the
Simple Acts campaign, a national initiative
to inspire people to use small, everyday
actions to help change perceptions of
refugees and asylum seekers. We supported
the campaign with a week-long programme
of events which culminated in a mass
balloon release outside World Museum,
during which children released positive
messages for refugees and asylum seekers.
Later in the year our ongoing Engaging
Refugees and Asylum Seekers project was
given a Commended Award in the
regeneration category of the Yorkshire Bank
150th Community Awards.
World Museum
L
students
get the chance
to shine
.
whistler draws
in the crowds
.
islamic ceramics
.
new radical
masterpieces
Walker Art Gallery
day 182
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m o n th s e v e n
JulY
day 212
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j
United States of America : James McNeill Whistler
T
he Walker Art Gallery’s impressive collection of early 20th century British
masterpieces featured in New Radicals: From Sickert to Freud. The exhibition
included responses to Impressionism and works by members of groups such as the
Camden Town and London Group through to Ceri Richards, LS Lowry, Cecil Collins and
Sir Stanley Spencer.
Works from one of the great
masters of etching, James McNeill
Whistler, drew in visitors to the Lady Lever
Art Gallery. Taken from the University of
Glasgow’s world famous Whistler collection,
The Gentle Art of Making Etchings
explored the artist’s creative processes,
from unmarked copper plate to finished
print and provided an illuminating picture of
Whistler and his distinctive technique.
showcase, an exhibition of A-level art
students’ work created as part of the
national Find Your Talent initiative, went on
display at the Walker Art Gallery. Young
people from three schools were given the
once in a lifetime opportunity to see their
work exhibited in one of the country’s
leading art galleries. The exhibition was just
one of the activities undertaken in 2009 as
part of the project, being led by National
Museums Liverpool and the Royal Liverpool
Philharmonic with cultural partners across
the city.
A display of Halima Cassell’s work
at the Walker Art Gallery was one of the
highlights of the annual Liverpool Arabic
Arts Festival. Inspired by traditional
forms of Islamic art and architecture, the
ceramic works combined established
styles with a more modernist approach.
llery
Lady Lever Art Ga
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Walker Art Gallery
The exhibition programme at the
International Slavery Museum continued
with Trafficked, a display highlighting
the ongoing struggle to combat human
trafficking around the world, through the
experiences of people whose lives have been
affected by this modern day slave trade.
Trafficked was produced in collaboration
with STOP THE TRAFFIK.
International Slavery Museu
m
L
slavery
remembered
.
inspirational
photos at black
britannia
.
arrival of the
overhead carriage
j
day 213
m o n t h e i g ht
day 243
AugusT
L
j
ghana : International Teaching Institute
D
iane Nash, one of the driving forces
in the American Civil
Rights movement, launched
our 2009 Slavery Remembrance Day
commemorations with an inspiring lecture
about the influence of Mahatma Ghandi’s
teachings on her non-violent protest. More
than 5000 visitors enjoyed a two-day festival
at the International Slavery Museum and the
Merseyside Maritime Museum. Live music,
community showcases, talks, family activities
and a traditional libation commemorated the
first successful uprising of enslaved Africans
on the Island of Santa Domingo (modern
Haiti and the Dominican Republic) in 1791.
Merseyside Maritime Museum
the International Slavery
Museum had a busy month with a new
exhibition opening and awards success.
Black Britannia, an exhibition of inspirational
images by photographer John Ferguson,
celebrated the contribution Black people
have made to British culture and public life
over the last few decades.
The Museum also reached the finals of The
National Lottery Awards 2009; the only North
West contender to make it through to the final
stage in the Best Heritage Project category.
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20
eum
l Slavery Mus
Internationa
Merseyside Maritime Museum
The Maritime Dining Rooms
opened on the fourth floor of the
Merseyside Maritime Museum and was
one of only ten Liverpool restaurants
to make it into the 2009 Michelin Guide.
The venue also has a new adjoining
conference suite with space for up
to 200 delegates.
Our cons
ervation
team was
at work prep
hard
aring the Ove
rhead Railw
carriage for
a
y
inclusion in
the Museum
Liverpool. Th
of
e work on th
e carriage w
completed in
as
August and
it is now rea
to be winch
dy
ed into its ne
w home in th
museum’s P
e
ort City galle
ry. Funds rais
through the
ed
National Mu
seums Liverp
Membership
o
ol
scheme help
ed to suppo
this importa
rt
nt project.
an international
teaching institute
was formed between National
Museums Liverpool, the Gilder
Lehrman Center for the
Study of Slavery, Resistance,
and Abolition and the Gilder
Lehrman Institute of American
History, under the heading
‘Teaching the transatlantic
slave trade - history, issues
and future hopes’. In August
teachers involved in the
institute visited Kokrobitey in
Ghana for a series of lectures,
field trips and workshops.
The two-week event brought
together teachers from
New Haven, Connecticut,
Merseyside and Ghana.
National Museums Liverpool
sponsored teachers from the
Merseyside area to attend to
foster their enthusiasm in
teaching the subject of slavery.
Teachers in the UK will be
given the opportunity in 2010 to
attend a national teachers’
institute at the International
Slavery Museum, delivered in
partnership with Liverpool
Hope University.
L
liverpool, s
hidden stories
uncovered
.
flashback art and
flashbulb portraits
.
pilot vessel heads
for maritime port
j
day 244
m o n th n i n e
day 273
L
SeptembeRj
blue peter : Edmund Gardner
F
ind Your Talent was on the agenda again as Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw
visited the Merseyside Maritime Museum to celebrate the first anniversary of the government
scheme aimed at providing five hours of culture a week for all children and young people.
The Minister met young people who have been involved over the past year, and representatives
from some of the participating cultural organisations. Since the scheme began, 6429 young
people and more than 400 education professionals have been involved. Find Your Talent has
delivered a huge range of projects and programmes.
“ The level of enthusiasm among young
people and the opportunities it has given
them, the difference it has made to their
confidence and leadership abilities
– all shows exactly why we embraced
this process in the first place”
Ben Bradshaw MP Culture Secretary
Merseyside Maritime Museum
A new project was launched
to discover the hidden stories of a
Liverpool neighbourhood. The Secret Life
of Smithdown explores how, over time,
local shopkeepers have helped shape
the Smithdown Road area of South Liverpool.
The project will culminate in a special
exhibition in the People’s City gallery at the
Museum of Liverpool. A mini-exhibition at the
Oomoo Cafe, a series of drop-in sessions
throughout September, and a new Facebook
group saw fascinating stories, photographs
and memories of the area shared.
Museum of Liverpool
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The year’s exhibition
programme at the Walker ended with
Bridget Riley: Flashback, which examined
the work of the internationally-renowned
artist. The major touring exhibition from the
Arts Council Collection at the Southbank
Centre showcased Riley’s distinctive and
vibrant paintings, many of which were
exhibited for the first time.
Walker Art Gallery
National Conservation Ce
ntre
Liverpool People by Stephen
Shakeshaft at the National
Conservation Centre told a fascinating
story of Merseyside life. Liverpool Daily
Post and Echo photographer, Stephen
Shakeshaft, has been capturing the
lives of local people since the 1960s.
The exhibition featured an engaging
selection of his portraits and candid
shots featuring a rich mix of Liverpool
characters, from football manager
Bill Shankly to barrow girl Lizzie Christian.
Major conservation work
continued on the Edmund Gardner to
prepare the pilot vessel for the Maritime
Park, due to open in 2011. The DCMS/
Wolfson funded visitor attraction will use
new technology to bring to life some of
Liverpool’s most important historic docks
and quaysides and link the Merseyside
Maritime Museum and the new Museum
of Liverpool.
We were delighted to
be awarded the status of
Independent Research
Organisation (IRO) from The
Arts and Humanities Research
Council in September.
This status recognises
National Museums Liverpool
as having research outputs
equivalent to a university or
higher education institution.
L
jive and spotkicks
during
black history month
.
victoria cross
finds a new home
.
from merseybeat
to medieval bagpipes
j
day 274
m o n t h te n
day 304
L
O c t o b e Rj
egypt : Big Draw
S
trictly Come Dancing with the Jiving Lindy Hoppers took over
the Maritime Dining Rooms as part of our Black History Month activities. Hundreds of
visitors enjoyed an evening of free live music and a celebration of the Lindy Hop,
an African American dance originating in the 1920s.
A rare and historic medal was
presented to the Museum of Liverpool.
The object, a Victoria Cross, added to the
Museum’s ever growing collection of urban
history objects dedicated to telling the story
of Liverpool and its significance throughout
the world. The highest order of military
l
f Liverpoo
Museum o
decoration awarded to members of the
armed forces for gallantry and bravery
in the face of the enemy, was awarded to
Sgt David Jones of the King’s (Liverpool)
Regiment on 3 September 1916 for an act
of bravery he performed while serving
in the First World War at Guillemont, France.
Merseyside Mar
itime Museum
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The Rise of Women Artists at the
Walker displayed works by pioneering
painters and decorative artists. Drawn from
the Walker’s collections, the exhibition
featured some of the most famous female
artists in history from the16th century to the
present day.
The Musicians’ gallery brought
an eclectic range of free weekend musical
performances to the Walker.
From Merseybeat to Medieval bagpipes, the
series showcased local talent and
professional musicians who have been
inspired by the masterpieces on display.
Walker Art Gallery
Lady Lever Art
re drawing,
Egyptian figu
t
ssions and a gian
Victorian portrait se
part of our drive to
Titanic mural were
in conjunction with
get the city drawing
,
ry of The Big Draw
the tenth anniversa
es
ag
ur
event that enco
a national annual
tive outlet.
drawing as a crea
Gallery
A fascinating glimpse into the life
of a Wirral family at the beginning of the
20th century was revealed in An Edwardian
Family Album. Photographs capturing
the Urton family at home in Birkenhead,
on days out to the Wirral coast and on
excursions further afield, were on show at
the Lady Lever Art Gallery.
we launched RayW
atch,
a conservation project to
track
thornback rays in the Me
rsey and
Liverpool Bay. Working wit
h the
Shark Trust and local angle
rs, rays
have been tagged to inc
rease
understanding of the bre
eding and
migratory patterns of this
endangered species. Me
mbers of
the public can still get inv
olved
by adopting a ray and tra
cking its
progress online.
Black History Month
promotes and celebrates Black
history, culture and heritage
and we were delighted to
welcome former Liverpool FC
players, John Barnes and
Howard Gayle, for a question
and answer session with
local school children at the
International Slavery Museum.
They were joined by
Tony Lloyd from the Anthony
Walker Foundation for a
discussion on their experiences
as Black footballers.
L
prestigious
unesco recognition
.
knockout
acquisitions and
online
chinese treasures
,.
hockney s travels
llery
Lady Lever Art Ga
j
day 305
m o n th e l e ve n
day 334
L
NovembeR
rainbow : Museum of Liverpool
T
he International Slavery Museum was awarded an Honourable Mention
in recognition of its globally-significant work by the UNESCO Director General as part
of the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence.
The Museum was one of only two institutions to have this honour bestowed on them in 2009.
we launched an online
catalogue of the Lady Lever’s Chinese
collection. The 1000 items were collected
by William Hesketh Lever, founder of
the gallery and one of the world’s great
collectors. The online catalogue allows
users to search and explore the treasures
and is the result of research undertaken by
Dr Yupin Chung and Professor Nick Pearce
of the University of Glasgow.
A famous couple took up residence
at the Walker Art Gallery in November.
The loan of David Hockney’s Mr and Mrs
Clark and Percy, from Tate Britain, ensured
visitors could see one of the artist’s
celebrated works while the Walker’s own
Peter getting out of Nick’s pool starred in
Nottingham Contemporary Art Gallery’s
Hockney exhibition.
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j
DaDaFest 2009 was celebrated with
a number of special events for visitors from
the local deaf and disabled communities
and their families at World Museum.
The British Sign Language interpreted
programme was enjoyed by over 300 people
and included curator-led tours and a new
performance from our adult drama group.
Curators continued to make exciting
new acquisitions for the Museum of
Liverpool. Former World Champion boxer,
Liverpool’s John Conteh, presented a
number of objects, including his WBC title
belt, for the Boxing Clever display in the
Creative City gallery.
A special Rainbow Flag was
donated to the People’s City gallery.
The flag represents a very important first for
Liverpool as it was flown above Liverpool
Town Hall for the first time on International
Day Against Homophobia which marks
the day in 1990 when the World Health
Organisation took homosexuality off its list
of mental illnesses. The flag from Liverpool
City Council was given to the Museum
of Liverpool at the start of Liverpool’s annual
Homotopia festival, the celebration of
queer culture.
Titanic and Liverpo
ol, the first
book to deal explicitly with the
relationship
between Titanic and her hom
e port of
Liverpool, was published to
great acclaim.
Penned by Dr Alan Scarth,
curator at
the Merseyside Maritime Mu
seum, the
book puts the legendary Wh
ite Star liner
in the context of transatlantic
migration
from Liverpool to North Am
erica.
L
penguins herald
2 millionth visitor
.
the x~mas factor
.
napoleon speaks
j
A
day 335
m o n t h tw e lv e
L
DecembeR
s 2009 drew to a close Anna
Yates, on a trip to the Walker Art Gallery
with her grandparents, was our 2 millionth
visitor of the year. Anna was presented
with a special goody bag from Patrick the
Penguin, the giant cuddly representative
from Go Penguins.
2009
day 365
nd
was our seco
on record,
busiest year
by 2008,
bettered only
ure
apital of Cult
Liverpool’s C
comed more
year. We wel
n visitors and
than 2 millio
r targets
exceeded ou
by 5%
allery
G
Walker Art
The National Museums
liverpool youth theatre proved
they had the X-mas factor in their festive
performance at World Museum. Inspired by
the rise of reality TV, the group performed
a self-penned production telling the tale of
the race between a boy and girl band for the
coveted Christmas number one slot.
scores of penguins descended on
the streets of Liverpool. More than 100 giant
penguins popped up as Go Penguins took
over the city, and we were lucky enough to
pick up a couple to house in our venues.
The birds were created by local artists,
schools or community groups and adopted
by local organisations. The Antarctic
invaders included space themed Moon
Waddler, at World Museum and Look at me
at the Lady Lever Art Gallery. Look at me
was designed by young local artist
Helen Burnley and challenges common
perceptions by highlighting the hidden
disabilities that affect tens of thousands of
people across the country.
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28
j
Painting
s came to
life online
as Talking H
eads gave a
n
insight into
what the sta
rs of some o
f the Walker’
best loved w
s
orks were re
a
lly like.
The new we
b feature ga
ve the chara
a voice and
cters
visitors the c
hance to he
why Napole
a
r
on was ridin
g a donkey
Delaroche’s
in
painting of h
im crossing
Alps, or wha
the
t Hogarth’s
David Garric
might have
k
thought of h
is starring ro
le.
Walker Art Gallery
World Museum
Lady Lever Art Gallery
Individuals
~
support
~
W
e would like to thank
all the individuals and organisations
that have supported our fundraising,
appeals, programmes and other activities
– the successes of the past year would
not have been possible without them.
Special thanks to those listed here whose
gifts totalled £250 or more. Our thanks also
go to those individuals and organisations
who wish their support to remain anonymous.
Our core funding comes from the
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
(DCMS). We would like to record our thanks
to ministers and staff at the Department for
all their help.
If you’d like to read more about our current
appeals, capital projects or become a
member, visit www.liverpoolmuseums.org.
uk/supportingus or call 0151 478 4734.
Michael Blankstone
Tom Bloxham MBE
John Bodie OBE
Judith Bodie
Andrew & Liz Collinge
Sir Robert Crawford CBE
Jim & Shirley Davies
Stephen Edgar
Charles Elston
John Entwistle OBE & Phillida Entwistle
Professor E J Evans & Dr J A Carr
Gabita Gadelius
His Hon Judge David Gee TD DL
Bryan Gray CBE & Lydia Gray
Michael & Karen Griffiths
Loyd Grossman OBE FSA
The late Jeanie Henderson
Lady Kaye
Portia & Guy Kennaway
Wol & Kerry Kolade
Valerie Limont
J McEvoy
Barbara A McVey
Brian Nellist
David Nellist
Stuart J Nicol
Antony Parker
Ian Poole & Dr Sue Poole
Professor Phil Redmond CBE
& Alexis Redmond
Gillian Reynolds MBE
Francis Ryan & Peter Woods
Elizabeth Scott
William Scott Martin
Sheila Seabourne
Jennifer Smith
David & Paula Swift
The Molly Tomlinson Bequest
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30
Patrons
Nicholas Wainwright FGA
Eva Wisemark & J David Wertheim
Barrie & Georgina Woodcock
Dr Rodney Wright
organisations
Albert Dock Residential Limited
Andrew Collinge Hairdressing
The Art Fund
Arts Council England (National Office)
Arts Council England (North West)
Austin-Smith: Lord LLP
The British Museum
British Waterways
Bruns
The Campaign for Drawing
Co-operative Financial Services
Creativity, Culture and Education
Culture Liverpool
David M Robinson Ltd
DCMS/DCSF Strategic
Commissioning Programme
DCMS/Wolfson Museums & Galleries Improvement Fund
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Elderhostel
Ellesmere Port Specialist School
of Performing Arts
The Eric and Dorothy Leach Charitable Trust
European Regional Development Fund
FACT
Finch Advertising
Friends of National Museums Liverpool
The General Charity Fund
Halliwells LLP
Hard Days Night Hotel
Heritage Lottery Fund
Hill Dickinson LLP
Ilford Photo
The J P Jacobs Charitable Trust
JISC
John Innes Centre
John Moores Liverpool Exhibition Trust
Le Vaisseau
The Leverhulme Trust
Liverpool Biennial
Liverpool City Council
Liverpool Daily Post & Echo Ltd
Liverpool Primary Care Trust
Liverpool Vision
Lord Mayor’s Office
The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company - Peel Ports
Museon
Museums, Libraries
and Archives North West
National Heritage Memorial Fund
National Lottery Commission
Northwest Regional Development Agency
Northwest Vision and Media
Nowhere Boy Productions Ltd
Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art
Performing Right Society Foundation
R S Clare & Co Ltd
Radisson Blu Hotel
The Rank Foundation
ShareGift
Solomon & Isabel Blankstone
Charitable Trust
Technopolis
The Earl of Derby’s Charitable Trust
The University of Liverpool
URENCO
v
William Dean Countryside
and Educational Trust
Yorkshire Bank
Andrew Collinge
Jim Davies
Charles Elston
His Hon Judge David Gee TD DL
Barbara A McVey
Chris Williams
Corporate Benefactor
Halliwells LLP
Corporate Members
Austin-Smith: Lord LLP
David M Robinson Ltd
Finch Advertising
Hill Dickinson LLP
The Mersey Docks and
Harbour Company - Peel Ports
R S Clare & Co Ltd
The University of Liverpool
tru stees ~
~
who s
erved during 2009
Appointed 2002 2009 2006 2004 2001 2009 2009 2006 2000 2000 2003 2008 2006 2002 2004 Sir Neil Cossons OBE
Sir Robert Crawford CBE
Jonathan Falkingham Bryan Gray MBE Professor Christopher Green Rt Reverend James Jones
Nisha Katona
Norman A Kurland Professor Margaret MacKeith CBE Professor Sarah Palmer Alexis Redmond Professor Phil Redmond CBE (Chair)
Anil Ruia OBE Eva Wisemark Brian Wong Current term expires
13/05/2010
15/03/2015
21/05/2010
28/01/2012
31/03/2010
20/07/2013
15/03/2013
19/12/2010
31/01/2009 retired
31/01/2009 retired
23/07/2011
31/07/2012
23/04/2010
20/01/2010
18/04/2012
Associate Trustees
Peter Bounds
Ruth Gould
Dorothy Kuya
Mark McNamee
Professor John Tarn OBE DL
Development Trust members
John Bodie OBE (Vice Chairman)
Jo Bowen-Jones
Barry Flynn
Rt Hon Baroness Gloria Hooper CMG
Norman A Kurland
Mark McNamee
Julian Rathbone
American Friends of National
Museums Liverpool, Inc. Patrons
Betty Barker
Paige deShong Earlam
Bert P Headden
Martha & John Humphreys
Victor & Sarah Kovner
Bernie Kukoff
Norman A Kurland & Deborah A David
Ed & Anne Teppo
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32
: thanks :
for joining us
on our
2009 voyage
of discovery
Journey
to one of our
venues where
the adventure
continues
{ 53º24’N,
02º59’W }
national museums liverpool
127 Dale Street Liverpool L2 2JH
Telephone 0151 207 0001
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
{ 53º24’N,
02º59’W }
uk border agency
national museum [ seized! ]
Albert Dock Liverpool L3 4AX
{ 53º24’N,
02º59’W }
international slavery museum
Albert Dock Liverpool L3 4AX
{ 53º21’N,
02º59’W }
Lady lever art gallery
Port Sunlight Village Wirral CH62 5EQ
{ 53º24’N,
02º59’W }
merseyside maritime museum
Albert Dock Liverpool L3 4AQ
{ 53º24’N,
02º59’W }
national conservation centre
Whitechapel Liverpool L1 6HZ
{ 53º24’N,
02º58’W }
sudley house
Mossley Hill Road Aigburth Liverpool L18 8BX
{ 53º25’N,
02º58’W }
walker art gallery
William Brown Street Liverpool L3 8EL
{ 53º24’N,
02º58’W }
world museum
William Brown Street Liverpool L3 8EN