Trained as an art historian, I have been working in a curatorial capacity at the National Museum, India, for over a decade. Curating and collaborating on national and international exhibitions, conducting research and academic writing, leading curatorial walkthroughs, and bridging the gaps of theory and praxis in Museum Studies for students are the most enjoyable aspects of my work. To expand my professional scope and engage with current international practices in museum studies and curation, I applied for the International Training Program (ITP) at the British Museum, London, UK.

This six-week-long programme, which brings together museum professionals from across the globe, is designed to provide participants with in-depth exposure to various operational and conceptual aspects of museum work. The sessions throughout ITP were conducted by professionals with decades of experience and covered a wide range of subjects including Exhibition design and curatorial concepts, Museum Education and Community Engagement, Conservation and Collection Care, Digitization and Collection Management, Interpretation and Curatorial Writing etc. ITP also encouraged meaningful dialogue, debates, and discussions among participants and experts, creating a dynamic learning environment enriched by diverse international perspectives. One of the key highlights was access to behind-the-scenes processes at the British Museum and other UK museums, offering practical insight into exhibition development, museum management, and collection care.

I arrived in London on 5th July 2025 and was warmly welcomed by the ITP team at Schafer House, my accommodation for the duration of the training programme. The centrally located accommodation was just a 15-minute walk from the British Museum. It was a pleasure to share the apartment with fellow international professionals and be in the programme with participants from Egypt, China, Colombia, Hawaii, Brazil, Ukraine, Thailand, Ecuador, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq and other countries. I had an opportunity to give a detailed introduction to my past work and curatorial endeavours to all the participants and the British Museum team. The sessions that followed included expert presentations, practical demonstrations, and access to the British Museum's reserve collection, offering hands-on learning with artworks in storage.

One significant benefit of the British Museum pass was free access to exhibitions at leading museums and galleries across London. I was able to visit not only the British Museum’s permanent and special exhibitions but also other institutions such as the Welcome Collection, National Portrait Gallery, the Design Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Natural History Museum and others. Additionally, the programme included weekly site visits to major archaeological and historical sites across the UK, which contributed to my understanding of site management, heritage sector planning, education & tourism strategies, and visitor facilities.

A particularly enriching component of ITP was the partner placement, thanks to which I spent ten days in Newcastle working with the Northeast Museums. During this tenure, along with visiting and learning about many museums and art galleries of New Castle, I explored several important Roman archaeological sites with an expert, which was a true privilege. The task of Object in Focus was one of the key aspects of the ITP where I, along with my team members, had an opportunity to conceptualise, research and plan the curatorial display of an object assigned by the British Museum. The display and reception evening also offered a great opportunity to network with the museum fraternity in the UK.

The tenure of the ITP was interspersed with multiple recreational activities- group lunches and dinners, musical evenings, and garden visits- which added a personal and warm touch to the experience. Living, working, and cooking together with international peers allowed for cultural exchange and fostered friendships. I returned to India on 17th August 2025, carrying not just professional learning but also memories, meaningful connections, and a rich collection of art publications gifted by the ITP.

As a curator, I feel that this programme has helped me deepen my understanding of curation and museum both in theory and practice. I am eager to incorporate parts of my experience and understanding into developing more India-centric approaches to the field and in my future curatorial projects. Most importantly, I am excited to bring certain aspects of the learnings in my lectures and presentations for inspiring conversations and engaging students. By sharing about the museum practices in the West currently, I hope to contribute towards advances in curatorial practice and museum affairs in India.