Year of The Gift

Gifts are at the heart of many museum and art collections and today the sale of new gifts makes a huge contribution to the museum and gallery economy. 100 years since the publication of The Gift by Marcel Mauss, this celebratory event showcase the anthropology and history of gift giving and draws on key players in the Scottish design, manufacturing and retail world to ask what is the nature of gift giving in 21st century Scotland? What role does it play in the UK economy? And what role does gift giving play in Scottish society today and how can it contribute to a more cohesive society in future?

Presented in partnership with the Association for Cultural Enterprises this learning and networking event is an opportunity for professional development for sector colleagues and anyone interested in the cultural economy. 

Speakers include:

• Keynote address with Vicki Thomas of Vicki Thomas Associates
• Nicholas Oddy, Head of Department of Design History & Theory, Glasgow School of Art
• Caroline Reid, Director of Commercial Enterprises, National Trust for Scotland
• Erin Thompson, Retail Manager, V&A Dundee
• Allison Everett, Buying & Retail Manager, Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh
• facilitated by Celia Joicey, Director at Dovecot Studios and Paul Griffiths, CEO at Association for Cultural Enterprises

14:00 - Arrival & Registration - optional visit to Viewing Balcony and Tapestry Weaving Studio

14:30 - Welcome & Keynote Speaker

14:50 - Panel 1: National Identity- a short history of Scottish gifts & giving

15:40 - Panel 2: Enlightened Commerce-Scottish gifts & tourism since 2000

16:30 - Q&A and Closing remarks

17:00 - Networking & Drinks at IKEA Magical Patterns Exhibition

18:00 - Event Close

BOOK NOW

Tickets £15 per person or Free for Association of Commercial Enterprises Members

Every ticket sold supports the work of The Dovecot Foundation to advance visual art, craft and design in all its forms.

Please note that tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable and may not be exchanged.

If you are unable to attend an event please contact Dovecot on 0131 550 3660 or info@dovecotstudios.com to inform the Front of House Team.