Michael Houlihan, the departing Director General of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, tonight (14 July 2010) reflected on his time as head of the organisation by delivering a lecture at National Museum Cardiff.
After seven years in this key role, Mr Houlihan will be leaving in the coming weeks to take up his new post as Chief Executive of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales announced earlier this week that David Anderson, Director of Learning and Interpretation at the Victoria and Albert Museum has been appointed as his replacement.
Speaking prior to the lecture, Mr Houlihan said:
“During my time at Amgueddfa Cymru, I have come to appreciate the truly unique nature of Welsh culture. Tonight, I will reflect on my personal observations whilst hopefully instigating further debate about the challenges that lie ahead for the sector.
“We all know that times are tough, and that every organisation in Wales will need to find ways to tighten their belts. But that shouldn’t necessarily devastate culture. In fact, it could be an opportunity to come up with new solutions, and new ways of delivering culture in Wales.
“Wales’ story has been one of preserving and protecting culture in the past. The challenge now is to have the bravery to come out from behind the defences and to project this special and different culture of Wales to the World. This should have been a project for the good times; in the bad it becomes essential.”
Mr Houlihan’s lecture also raised the following points:
- Wales needs a vision for culture and the leadership of this process can only come from Government. The Assembly needs to articulate a vision for culture and the part it is expecting culture to play in the bad times ahead. This is not about money; it is simply about recognising the very core of what makes Wales unique and exploring how it will not only support Wales but also be a driving force for progress.
- Is there a more effective way to deliver culture in Wales without compromising on quality? Is there a scope to amalgamate some bodies, even separating some away from government?
- The key to the future of Welsh culture will be greater integration of operational services between organisations, amalgamations, new partnerships between cultural players and greater application of new technology to project and manage culture.
