Hello from Anna, ITP’s New Coordinator (Anna Cottle 2019)

I would like to introduce myself on my first day as International Training Programme Coordinator and tell you a little bit more about myself. I’ve met some of you before and had a lovely time getting involved with some of the activities with 2019’s fellows who just left this weekend… hope you all had a smooth journey home!

As a former ITP Department Rep in the Africa, Oceania and the Americas department here at the Museum, I’ve been involved with the programme for several years and hoped to one day work on it, so I’m very excited to have this opportunity now. I have worked at the British Museum for five years and across five departments including Visitor Services, Events, AOA, Collection Projects and Resources, and now, ITP so I like to think I have some knowledge of the place!

This year also marks the end of my Masters Degree at Birkbeck University where I was lucky enough to get a funded place studying Museum Cultures/History of Art – I have almost finished writing my dissertation which focuses on reinterpretations of indigenous agency in the British Museum.

When I am not working or studying, my favourite thing to do is travel and due to friends and family being from, or in many places all around the world, I have lived in Azerbaijan previously and regularly spend time in Italy. Travelling and meeting people from other cultures has strengthened my ambition to work with museums globally. I studied Fine Art before working at the BM, specialising in film, so trips to galleries and the cinema are another favourite pastime.

I can’t wait to get planning for ITP 2020 and look forward to hearing from everyone soon.

Anna