Vitalice Ochieng | Senior Programme Manager -TICAH (Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health), Kenya 

Which workshop did you attend?

I have attended the following courses:
1. Successful Fundraising for Heritage Managers: Strategies and Best Practices

2. Communication Strategy and Strategic Marketing for Cultural Organizations
3. Interpretive Writing for Natural and Cultural Heritage
4. Project Management for Heritage Managers
5. Engaging Communities in Cultural Heritage
6. Community and Economic Development
7. Impact Assessment

Was the training an opportunity to enhance your connection with your peers?

Yes, the courses have been a wonderful opportunity to meet peers and make friends across borders. I have many friends from other countries with whom I can discuss my projects and even personal issues. Every course connected me with at least one new friend.

Has the training contributed towards the improvement of your career?

A lot. Even though I am still at TICAH, it has reinforced my leadership and the standing of my programme. The training has also enabled me to learn from other projects in different contexts, giving me valuable insights and different strategies for approaching my own projects. The opportunity to share my projects with peers during the training has also strengthened my belief in my own strategies and initiatives. Receiving feedback and appreciation when I share makes me more confident in my approaches.

Do you feel that your ability to perform relevant tasks has improved?

Yes. My understanding of community engagement, fundraising for heritage, communication, and heritage management has grown significantly.

Following the completion of the training, has your project benefited?

Yes. One of my projects, which entails the promotion of the cultural heritage of the Mijikenda community in Kenya, has benefited greatly from this training. For instance, the idea to support the community in strengthening their cultural tourism was shaped by the training on Economic Development. We were able to support the community in producing cultural dresses and costumes to celebrate the Rabai Cultural Festival in 2024.

Would you recommend this training to others?

Yes, most definitely. There are not many opportunities available for people to learn heritage management. Apart from people like me with a background in Anthropology or Cultural Studies, there are also other professionals such as managers, architects, and scientists who are in charge of heritage but may not have a cultural understanding of its management. Likewise, there are people with a background in cultural studies who may lack skills such as fundraising, communication, or project management. This training is very important for anyone working in a field where heritage, both natural and cultural, is involved.

From 17th to 21st March, HERITΛGE welcomed 25 participants from across Rwanda to our online Project Development and Grant Writing Workshop.The workshop aimed to help participants gain a greater understanding of the development process whilst building specialised skills along the way. 

“The workshop enhanced our project planning, improved our funding opportunities through grant writing, strengthened communication, ensured sustainability, and expanded our networking for future collaborations.”

Brian Hativatye Geza,  Creative Director, Ubumuntu Arts Organisation

HERITΛGE’s Tim Healing introduced the workshop by focusing on project development and project management strategies including discussing the Project Cycle Method. Participants then concentrated on the process of writing grant applications, focusing on the key elements needed to make a persuasive case. This was accompanied by case study analysis and group exercises where participants could demonstrate the knowledge they had already developed over the last couple of days. It was gratifying to see how well everyone collaborated in their teams and enthusiastically engaged with the material, asking constructive questions throughout. 

 “The training was well prepared, with timely and clear communication. The content and instructions were concise and easy to understand. The heritage team actively supported us during plenary and group work, creating an engaging and collaborative environment. The team rotations allowed us to connect with one another, and the overall atmosphere encouraged full participation. Great job done!

Emile Morane, FASHA HUMANITY / UMUTI MU NGANZO, CEO- President Founder Owner

The workshop was held as part of the Rwanda Programme, HerMaP Africa, which is supported by the Mellon Foundation. 

Participants came from organisations including Gatore Arts, NZIZA ORGANIZATION, INGANZO Y’URURIMI N’UMUCO, Nomad culture hub, RCHA, Alexis Badege Mining Ltd, Rwanda culture conservation clubs and enterprise, Bwishyura Kivu Boat Co-operative (BKBC), Come&Dance, FASHA HUMANITY,UMUTI MU NGANZO, Dufatanye Organization, TOGETHER IS THE BEST, Educate!, Ubumuntu Arts Organisation, University of Rwanda, Akagera traditional cultural village, and  Millennium Community Development Organization (MCDO). 

To read more about our upcoming workshops, click here. 

 

49 heritage professionals from Rwanda took part in two recent Introduction to Heritage Interpretation Workshops, led by HERITΛGE’s Valia Stergioti. The participants included officials from educational institutions, heritage sites, tourist businesses, local communities and NGOs. 

During the workshop, which was led in person by HERITΛGE’s Valya Stergioti, they were introduced to the skills that allow heritage managers to transform mere phenomena into captivating experiences. They learned how to evoke a deep resonance within visitors at heritage sites of natural and/or cultural significance, guiding them towards profound insights and nurturing an appreciation for all aspects of heritage. Additionally, participants developed the ability to provide and receive constructive feedback to and from their peers. 

The first of the two workshops was delivered in cooperation with the Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy to 26 heritage and tourism professionals and took place on 24-26 July at the Rwanda Heritage Hub and the Kandt House Museum in Kigali. 

“I learned to connect our participants to the site, which will help to increase our visitors satisfaction” said Esther Kakuze, Managing Director of ImuHira Ecotourism Rwanda who took part in the workshops. 

“My project and institution will benefit through my professional practice,paying attention to all details related to heritage Management and community engagement,” said Wilhelm Mugiramahoro, Operations Officer for the Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy. 

The second workshop was delivered in cooperation with Nyanza District to 23 heritage and tourism professionals in the Nyanza District’s Visitor Centre. 

“I have gained new skills as the heritage interpretation workshop was a new subject to me. I will use them so my visitors can enjoy our site and be our ambassadors, ” siad Sandrine Uwambayinkindi from the Girampuhwe Visitor Centre.

Both workshops are part of our HerMaP Africa program which is realised with the generous support of the Mellon Foundation’s Humanities in Place program. 

 

Twenty one Heritage Managers from Africa (Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe), Asia (Afghanistan, Iraq), and Europe (Greece, Ukraine, United Kingdom) took part in HERITΛGE’s 3-day online workshop on “Successful Fundraising for Heritage Managers: Strategies and Best Practices” from 22 to 24 March 2024. During the workshop, participants  acquired a strong understanding of how to develop and execute effective fundraising strategies, with the aim of increasing their organizations contributed revenues and its global impact. 

Workshops participants successfully developed and implemented strategies in the core principles of fundraising, as well as effective approaches to resolving ethical dilemmas. They also honed their collaboration skills and techniques in relation to executive and voluntary leadership and were trained  in crafting and presenting a persuasive case for support through prospect research.

Additionally, the workshop instructors, Linda C. Hartley and Jennier E. Herring, skillfully guided attendees in the art of cultivating and approaching potential donors, mastering the art of making personal donation requests, and successfully obtaining grants from foundations and corporations.

This academic year’s 3-day workshop on Organizing Temporary Exhibitions from your Collection and Touring Strategies took place online from 2 to 4 February 2024. It was attended by16 heritage managers from Africa (Botswana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and The Gambia) and Europe (Hungary) who acquired with the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance and promote their institution’s mission through temporary, touring, and partnership exhibitions.

The workshop was led by Dana Andrew, an independent museum consultant and trainer specializing in touring exhibitions and international projects.  Dana is also a part-time Executive Director of the International Council of Museums UK (ICOM UK) and a committee member and trainer for the Touring Exhibitions Group (TEG).

The participants were also treated to the contributions of two distinguished keynote speakers that added immense value to the lectures. Nelly Ekstrom, with her vast experience at the Wellcome Gallery in London, shared valuable insights on how to enhance accessibility in Exhibitions while Navjot Mangat shed light on community engagement practices at the Horniman Museum, using Tea as a case study.

Throughout the workshop, the participants delved into the intricacies of planning and organizing temporary exhibitions both within their institutions and on tour. This involved identifying exhibition objectives, crafting a captivating narrative, and curating engaging content to provide visitors with a memorable experience. The workshop also explored strategies for touring exhibitions on a national and international scale, as well as methods to ensure sustainability and accessibility in exhibition design.

Through lively and thought-provoking discussions, participants not only gained valuable insights but also developed a deep understanding of how to create exhibitions that align with their organization’s mission while catering to the needs and interests of their target audience. They also learned about the importance of partnerships, production, and economic models in the exhibition industry, enabling them to select the most suitable models for their institution. 

Develop your heritage management expertise: gain new skills and embrace best practices with HERITΛGE’s cutting-edge Summer Field Schools

HERITΛGE is thrilled to announce we are now accepting applications for our upcoming Summer Field Schools, offering exceptional opportunities for cultural heritage professionals. These intensive programs delve into crucial aspects of heritage management, providing participants with hands-on experience and cutting-edge knowledge in two key areas: Digital Tools for Cultural Heritage and Engaging Communities for Cultural Heritage.

 

Digital Tools for Cultural Heritage Summer School: Unlock the Power of Digital Tools in Heritage Management

In the ever-evolving landscape of heritage management, digital tools play a pivotal role. HERITΛGE, in collaboration with HOGENT, presents a unique summer school program focusing on the acquisition, processing, management, and analysis of spatial data. This program introduces participants to three specialized courses:

• GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
• Photogrammetry and Image-based 3D Modeling
• Terrestrial Laser Scanning

Theoretical aspects will be delivered online, allowing for flexibility, while on-site tasks will provide practical, hands-on experience. For those able to travel to Greece, an exciting opportunity awaits to practice Photogrammetry and Laser Scanning in the field with in-person support from instructors. The program, organized in collaboration with the municipality of Nafplio, Greece, aims to document historically significant structures, serving as the educational arm of the HERITΛGE research project.

 

Engaging Communities for Cultural Heritage Summer School:Redefining Community Engagement in Heritage Management

Community engagement is at the forefront of heritage institutions worldwide. HERITΛGE’s hybrid program focuses on community-led initiatives, social and artistic research, and practical exercises. Collaborating with local festivals and initiatives on the Greek island of Paros, this program offers a dynamic approach to community engagement. Participants, whether online or in person, will explore ethnography, oral history, and multimedia content creation, contributing to research and  the preservation of local heritage.

 

Why Choose Heritage Management Organization’s Summer Field Schools?

Tailored Learning: Programs cater to both beginners and professionals, providing a platform for skill development and research.
Expert Collaboration: Collaborate with experts from renowned partners.
Real-world Experience: Engage in practical exercises, fieldwork, and community-led initiatives to apply theoretical knowledge.
Global Impact: Contribute to larger research projects, shaping the future of heritage management worldwide.

How to Apply:

For those eager to embark on this transformative journey, applications are now open. Visit our website for more information and to secure your spot in these exciting summer field schools.
Whether you’re interested in digital tools or community engagement, HERITΛGE invites you to explore, learn, and contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage.
Join us this summer and be part of an international community dedicated to shaping the future of heritage management!