Behind the Collection: Careers in Conservation, Research & Curating
An event aimed at demystify the work involved in collections care, offering a unique look into what happens behind the exhibitions we admire
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.
