The Tribune

By Bahamas Information Services

CHIEF curator at the National Museum of the Bahamas Kim Outten-Stubbs was recently inducted into the Commonwealth Association of Museums’ prestigious Cowrie Circle. Membership in the Cowrie Circle, CAM’s highest honour, signifies a tribute to those members who have played a major role in advancing growth and development of museums in their respective countries.

Mrs Outten-Stubbs joins nine living members of the Circle, which was established in 1998.

She was recognised for her substantial and lengthy contribution to CAM; leadership and commitment to building museums in her country; active and productive involvement in regional and international museum communities; and enhancing expertise and excellence of museums in the Commonwealth.

As chief curator of the country’s national museum for over 20 years, Mrs Outten-Stubbs has worked towards creating a Bahamian national museum system, establishing the Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation, Balcony House Museum, the San Salvador Museum and the Long Island Museum.

She also organised the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Conference and served on the steering committee for the African Diaspora Conference in the Bahamas. Other special projects have included host curator for: A Slave Ship Speaks: The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie; and Lest We Forget: The Triumph Over Slavery and Amistad.

Mrs Outten-Stubbs served on CAM’s executive roster since 2003 and played a pivotal role in organising three CAM programmes: Disaster Risk Management for Caribbean Museums (2013), Slavery Abolition and Emancipation: Resources, Research and Education in Caribbean Museums (2007), and a meeting regarding children in Caribbean museums (2005).