Although now on display in a new museum, the objects at Perth Museum form amongst the oldest public collections in the UK. Founded in 1784, the Perth Literary and Antiquarian Society collected material from across the world. Its collection profile evolved in tandem with British imperial expansion through the late 18th and 19th centuries. This talk explores a group of musical instruments collected by the society, examining their stories and the circumstances of their ‘acquisition.’ From present-day Myanmar and Iran, to the west coast of Canada and Aotearoa, these instruments reflect the cultural practises of those communities who made and used them, as well as the exercise of imperial dominance, and resulting devaluing and erasure of those cultural practises.
The 7-year development of Perth Museum’s World Cultures Gallery, which brought together curators, artists and communities from Vancouver to Wellington sits alongside a broader reassessment of how the museum can begin to address imperial legacies and persistent abuses of power.
JP Reid is Exhibitions and Interpretation Manager for Culture Perth & Kinross (CPK) based at Perth Museum and Perth Art Gallery. From 2017, he was the exhibition lead for the redevelopment of the former City Hall into the new Perth Museum, managing the creation of permanent galleries and the Stone of Destiny display. He was the lead curator on the museum’s inaugural temporary exhibition, Unicorn which explored the history of Scotland’s national animal from Pliny to Pride, and which won the Museums Association: Museums Change Lives Award 2024.
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Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Join us at St Cecilia’s Hall during the Fringe for a guided tour of the musical treasures on display. Topics and guides vary daily!
READ MOREGeorge Weir performs music for violin and harpsichord by Bach, Handel and Corelli as well as an unaccompanied violin piece Austrian composer Johann Vilsmayr.
READ MOREJoin Dr Brianna Robertson-Kirkland as she explores the story of the first generation of the Corris through images, storytelling and song at St Cecilias Hall on 14th August!
READ MOREThis concert on 15th August features an exciting young trio of Glasgow’s finest jazz musicians and pays homage to jazz clarinettists of the 1920/30s!
READ MOREJoin us at St Cecilia's Hall on 16th August for our first ever South Asian Heritage Month Community Day!
READ MOREThe Edinburgh Renaissance Band with the Edinburgh Early Dancers return for 2025 with a lively performance of their ever-popular Viol Rackett Show on 17th August at St Cecilia's Hall.
READ MOREEnjoy an exploration of the music heard during the period of the Hundred Year War – spanning from Burgundy, the Flemish region and England at St Cecilia's Hall on 20th August!
READ MOREBe transported to 17th century Venice, Naples... baroque into the 20th century with an hour of delicious sound which brings pure joy!
READ MOREThe critically acclaimed team of McDonald and Kitchen perform virtuoso works for recorder with continuo and obbligato harpsichord by Bach, Vivaldi, Telemann and Corelli.
READ MOREJoin historian Jayme Kurland at St Cecilia's Hall on Thursday, 4th September as she discusses who the women of Fender were and their impact on American popular music!
READ MOREJoin Fiona Johnston, audio describer, as she describes various artwork and objects from the Royal Collection at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
READ MOREMany authors have been inspired to pick up their pen to write about the Palace of Holyroodhouse. These sessions will explore these literary works followed by a hearty discussion!
READ MOREJoin us on Thursdays at The Palace of Holyroodhouse for a short talk on one of the fascinating photographs in our exhibition Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography!
READ MOREA lecture about spiritual healing and help through the teaching of Bruno Groening is taking place at The Open Door Community Centre, Edinburgh on various dates throughout the year.
READ MOREThese tea and talk sessions deliver a series of small-scale talks from the RZSS team in the stunning setting of the Mansion House at Edinburgh Zoo.
READ MOREIn this lively and revealing discussion on 13th August, let us dissect how accurately professions are portrayed in romance and erotica .
READ MOREJoin Aqsa Arif and curator Priyesh Mistry for a thought-provoking conversation about her creative process and the narratives shaping her work on 13th August at Edinburgh Printmakers!
READ MOREThis talk given by Daisy Cunynghame on 14th August will explore the history of alchemy, its role in medicine and Scotland’s place in the development of this mystical science!
READ MOREJoin Dr Brianna Robertson-Kirkland as she explores the story of the first generation of the Corris through images, storytelling and song at St Cecilias Hall on 14th August!
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