Crafts Council About Collections Unboxing the Collection

Behind the Collection: Careers in Conservation, Research & Curating

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An event aimed at demystify the work involved in collections care, offering a unique look into what happens behind the exhibitions we admire

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Crafts Council collection

Young Craft Citizen member Noah Mclean delivers a talk at Behind the Collection: Careers in Conservation, Research & Curating. Photo: Sabrina Chu

This event took place on 5 October 2025 at Crafts Council Gallery in London, bringing together a panel of experts working in curation, auction sales, collections management and conservation.

An informal mixer followed the panel talk, offering guests the opportunity to network and take a tour of Crafts Council's collection store. A special exhibition of Crafts Council works, Unboxing the Collection: Exploring the Vessel was on display.

Listen to a recording of the discussion below:

Speakers included:

Deborah Sutherland is Collections Storage and Installation Planning Manager, V&A East

Helene Love-Allotey is Bonhams’ Head of Sale & Specialist of African Modern & Contemporary Art

Habda Rashid is the first Senior Curator of Contemporary & Modern Art at the Fitzwilliam Museum

Kim Meredew is a Building Conservator and Founder of Kim Meredew Stone Studio

Deborah Ridley is Senior Programmes and Collections Manager at Crafts Council

Deborah Ridley, Senior Programmes and Collections Manager, speaking as part of the panel at Behind the Collection: Careers in Conservation, Research & Curating. Photo: Sabrina Chu

This event was part of Unboxing the Collection, an exhibition and events programming developed by guest curator Lewis Gilbert and Crafts Council.

Unboxing the Collection is supported by Cockayne Grants for the Arts, a donor advised fund held at the London Community Foundation. The programme has evolved out of our work auditing Crafts Council Collection, which is part of our Craft for the People project, generously supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of its Dynamic Collections initiative.

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The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Behind the Collection: Careers in Conservation, Research & Curating

In Partnership With

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