About MAC Bahamas 2023
The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB), in partnership with the Central Bank of The Bahamas (CBOB), the University of The Bahamas (UB), and the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation (AMMC), is thrilled to announce that we will be hosting the Museums Association of the Caribbean’s (MAC) Conference in Nassau, March 1-5, 2023! For the first time since its inception, the Museum Association of the Caribbean’s (MAC) Conference will take place in The Bahamas under the theme “Power of Museums: Relevancy, Advocacy, Transformation”.
The Caribbean-wide conference is a forum for the exchange of information and ideas amongst museums and cultural institutions in the Caribbean States and other countries where its diasporas are numerous. Since its inception in 1989, MAC has hosted 32 conferences in 25 countries, each time with over 200 guests in attendance, including 100-125 museum and cultural professionals from Aruba, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Panama (North, Central and South), Puerto Rico, Scotland, Senegal, South America (North, Central and South), Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The primary language of the conference is English, with simultaneous translations into French and Spanish.
With two full days of world-class presentations and panels, a sparkling opening reception and keynote speaker, networking events and cultural tours, MAC’s first in-person conference since 2019 will be the premier event for local and visiting academics, cultural and museum professionals, and college/university students.
To learn more about the MAC Conference and register click the button below.
Conference Theme: The Power of Museums: Relevancy, Advocacy, Transformation
During the Covid-19 pandemic, museum and cultural heritage sites faced numerous challenges in relation to how to sustain themselves and how to support their local communities. We recognized once more the power we hold to bring people together, promote healing, and advocate for change in difficult times. As we approach a post-pandemic era, the time seems ripe to assess how museums and their roles have evolved alongside the surrounding world.
MAC Bahamas Schedule
March 1 – 5, 2023
The MAC Conference will take place in Nassau, Bahamas. While the conference is primarily taking place in-person, we will be livestreaming the keynote session and hosting some online workshops. Below is the preliminary schedule.
5 PM – 6 PM
Hotel Check-In, Conference Registration and tour of the National Art Gallery’s Sculpture Garden.
6 PM
Keynote Address
The Power of Museums: A Conversation with ICOM Vice-President Terry Nyambe and MAC Co-President Dr. Shani Roper. Moderated by Curator and former NAGB director, Amanda Coulson.
Location: NAGB Amphitheatre
7 PM – 10 PM
Opening Party featuring Local Cuisine, live music and Tour of the exhibition: Art, Ecology and Sacred Space: Guided by Antonius Roberts
DETAILS TBA
Breakfast and Yoga at the Historic Great House Garden and the NAGB lawn
Morning Conference Sessions at the University of The Bahamas
Plenary session at the Culinary Institute
Afternoon Conference Sessions at the University of The Bahamas
DETAILS TBA
Evening Reception.
Location: The D’Aguilar Art Foundation
9:45 AM – 5:00 PM
Breakfast and Yoga at the Historic Great House Garden and the NAGB lawn
Conference Sessions at the The Garden Room and the Central Bank
Visit of the Fairwind Exhibition
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Evening Closing Party at ECCHO Art Space/ Bahamar and Silent Auction
8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Guided Day Tour to Balcony House Museum, Central Bank’s Art Gallery, Fort Charlotte, Junkanoo World, TERN Gallery, Clifton Heritage Park, Mestre Projects/Albany, Sunset BBQ and bonfire
Experience the vibrant culture and landmarks of the capital of The Bahamas. Join us on a full-day tour across the island of New Providence and see, taste and hear some of the highlights of Nassau city and its surroundings. Guided by the best storytellers and most engaging historians, the tour will take you to places where you will learn about our art, music, flora, fauna, and—of course—about our Junkanoo. Taste an original Conch Salad or Goombay punch at Arawak Cay and seal it all off with a lovely BBQ at the beach. Our conference hosts are very excited to share the highlights of our tru-tru Bahamaland with you.
9:15 AM – 1:00 PM
Guided Day Tour to Doongalik Art Studios, BNT “The Retreat” and I.C.E – Incubator for Collaborative Expression.
The second day of tours will take you to cultural sites in the East of New Providence. Visit Doongalik Studios and meet Pam Burnside, an expert in the art and craft of “everything straw” and a force of nature in putting The Bahamas on the global cultural map. A stone’s throw away from Doongalik, you will explore “The Retreat,” the botanical garden run by the Bahamas National Trust. The day’s tour will end at one of the newest and most exciting places in Nassau: I.C.E – the Incubator of Collaborative Expression — the brainchild of Bahamian Master Artist, Urban, and Community developer Antonius Roberts, OBE. Meet the founder and some of the thrilling young artists with studios there. Light refreshments included.
Conference Registration
MAC invites you to join us for our first in-person conference since 2019. This year’s conference will feature:
- Panels by museum and cultural heritage site professionals from across the Caribbean and its diaspora, featuring the 2023 conference themes
- Virtual tours of Bahamas museums and cultural heritage sites
- Networking and social events highlighting the cuisine, music, art and culture of the Bahamas
Registration Rate Options
We offer a variety of rates for everyone, including special rates for MAC members and Caribbean residents. Please use the chart below and select the rate most applicable to you.
Please Note:
– Presenter* – NON-MAC Presenter rate includes 2022-2023 MAC membership. All presenters must be MAC members.
Conference Add-Ons
