Julie Macfarlane Brown

Julie Macfarlane Brown

Department of Art History, Curating and Visual Studies
Curator

Contact details

Address
The Barber Institute of Fine Art
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
UK

I am Curator at the Barber Institute, with particular responsibility for contemporary artist commissions and works on paper.  My role involves connecting people with our collections through the exploration of new interpretation and access strategies.

Biography

I have 20 years of experience working in the museum sector, with well-developed expertise in collections and exhibitions management; access and interpretation; community participation and co-production; equality, diversity and inclusion; and culture, health and wellbeing.  My curatorial background has predominantly related to 20th and 21st century art, and in making links between the historic and contemporary. 

Current research interests include art and wellbeing, motherhood through art, working class art, and art and social justice.  I have an MLitt in Museum and Gallery Studies from the University of St Andrews, where my dissertation explored the island as a contemporary art destination, in relation to Naoshima, Japan and Orkney, Scotland.  I have an MA (Hons) in History of Art from the University of Edinburgh, where I undertook an honours year at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium.  I have previously held positions at The New Art Gallery Walsall; Towner, Eastbourne; Pallant House, Chichester; Dundee Contemporary Arts; University of Dundee; Talbot Rice Gallery; and National Museum Scotland. I am a Clore Leadership Programme Alumna, and an Associate of the Museums Association.  I have participated on steering groups for Collections Trust, Museum as Muck, West Midlands Culture Health and Wellbeing Network, and trained as a West Midlands Museum Equality Champion and MHFA England Mental Health First Aider. I am also a Birmingham Christmas Shelter and Action for Happiness volunteer.