Kumar Zhunussov

Biography

As Head of the International Relations Department, Kumar’s responsibilities encompass a comprehensive range of activities aimed at developing international relations and promoting the cultural projects of the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan. These responsibilities include the coordination of international relations; and the organisation and maintenance of partnerships with foreign museums, cultural centres and international organisations (such as ICOM, IAMS, TURKSOY, and UNESCO).

Furthermore, Kumar participates in negotiation and communication activities; organisation and support of international exhibitions; curatorial and research work; translation support; support of delegations; representation of the museum at the international level; and the promotion of Kazakhstan’s cultural heritage – forming a positive image of the country through museum and exhibition initiatives.

Kumar’s professional interests focus on international collaboration, collection-based research, and interpretation of cultural heritage through the cultural and national codes. Kumar is interested in museum engagement, marketing and financing of museums – and is engaged in international collaboration projects on Central Asian heritage in European collections.

Kumar is personally interested in Kazakh collections held in museums around the world, including those in the UK; especially the organisation of joint exhibitions between British museums, and museums in Kazakhstan – particularly collaborative projects involving the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan and British institutions. In addition to this, Kumar is interested in the management system of British museums, including governance structures, collection management practices, audience development strategies and institutional sustainability.

At the British Museum

During his time on the International Training Programme, Kumar was based in the Scientific Research Department. His UK Partner Placement was spent at Glasgow Museums.