Celebrate JAG in photographs

An international competition is being held to mark International Museum Day, with the Johannesburg Art Gallery taking part.
IF the Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG) ranks as your favourite museum, show your love by taking a photograph of you in it and stand a chance to win some great prizes as part of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) contest to celebrate International Museum Day.

International Museum DayInternational Museum Day falls annually on 18 May. It has been recognised since 1977, and serves to raise public awareness of the role museums play in the development of society.

Commemorating the day has grown in popularity and more countries around the world are marking it every year. “In 2011, International Museum Day garnered record-breaking participation with almost 30 000 museums hosting events in more than 120 countries,” said ICOM’s Aurélie Aubourg.

There are big plans to usher in the day’s 35th year, too. “Upon this occasion, ICOM is launching a photo contest for museum lovers and budding photographers of all ages,” she said. “This contest celebrates museums all over the world through each participant’s perspective and marks the International Museum Day anniversary in an original and playful way.”

JAG is getting in on the fun, and is inviting all of the museum’s loyal customers to submit their photos to the competition. Musha Neluheni, JAG’s education officer, has encouraged all interested residents to get to the museum, take their photos and get involved.

Participants can either take a photo on their own or with friends and family, but need to clearly illustrate their museum and the International Museum Day badge. Photographs will be judged by an international jury, looking for creativity and the photo that best highlights the badge.

“Submissions from all around the world are expected, and will be shared online,” Aubourg said. “The best photograph will also be featured in the June issue of ICOM News and the winner will receive a surprise bag full of goodies from museum stores around the world.”

Entries close on 22 April, and the winner will be announced on International Museum Day itself, 18 May. To enter, you will need to send your photo and registration form to imd@icom.museum.

The participation form and International Museum Day badge can be downloaded from the ICOM website.