About us

	Coat (detail). Woollen beaver cloth trimmed with silk velvet, 1830s
	© V&A Images - Victoria & Albert Museum

DATS Committee Members 2008

DATS was established in 1975.  It is subscription-based and currently has 100 individual and forty-nine institutional members. Membership is open to all professionals who are involved with dress and textiles in museums, galleries, historic houses, archives and universities or whose work involves collections-based research.


 - Reduced fees for the annual two-day conference with invited speakers from a range of disciplines on topics relevant to members but with an emphasis on training and raising professional standards.
 - Usually the conference is held in alternate years in London and in the regions to maximise local attendance
 - An annual members-only one-day event to encourage visits to venues which are of interest to the profession and to facilitate an informal exchange of ideas and experiences. The opportunity to attend workshops organised by the group.
 - Access to a members-only email distribution list giving access to the wide-ranging expertise of the group


 - Any number of employees can attend the conference at members rates 
 - Any employee can attend other events organised by the group 
 - Access to a members-only email distribution list giving access to the wide-ranging expertise of the group


DATS is led by an elected committee of five officers, six regional representatives, a representative for the national museums and a conservation representative. The committee members are all voluntary. Officers and committee members serve for a three year term which can be extended to a maximum of five years. There are four committee meetings a year all of which are attended by the officers and conference organisers and two of which are attended by the full committee. Minutes are taken at all the meetings and are circulated to the full committee.

The committee has powers to co-opt from the membership additional committee personnel to work on specific projects. There are currently two co-opted members, one to progress a dedicated website and the other as SSN liaison officer.

Any member is able to stand, propose or second for the committee. Elections for vacancies are held at the AGM which is held during the annual conference. All members are encouraged to play an active role in the group to ensure that it remains responsive to the needs of the profession.

Any member may put forward ideas for meetings and events, contribute to the newsletter or proposed website, or raise issues for discussion by the committee or by the membership at the AGM.

	Coat (detail). Woollen beaver cloth trimmed with silk velvet, 1830s
	© V&A Images - Victoria & Albert Museum

DATS Committee Members 2008

DATS was established in 1975.  It is subscription-based and currently has 100 individual and forty-nine institutional members. Membership is open to all professionals who are involved with dress and textiles in museums, galleries, historic houses, archives and universities or whose work involves collections-based research.


 - Reduced fees for the annual two-day conference with invited speakers from a range of disciplines on topics relevant to members but with an emphasis on training and raising professional standards.
 - Usually the conference is held in alternate years in London and in the regions to maximise local attendance
 - An annual members-only one-day event to encourage visits to venues which are of interest to the profession and to facilitate an informal exchange of ideas and experiences. The opportunity to attend workshops organised by the group.
 - Access to a members-only email distribution list giving access to the wide-ranging expertise of the group


 - Any number of employees can attend the conference at members rates 
 - Any employee can attend other events organised by the group 
 - Access to a members-only email distribution list giving access to the wide-ranging expertise of the group


DATS is led by an elected committee of five officers, six regional representatives, a representative for the national museums and a conservation representative. The committee members are all voluntary. Officers and committee members serve for a three year term which can be extended to a maximum of five years. There are four committee meetings a year all of which are attended by the officers and conference organisers and two of which are attended by the full committee. Minutes are taken at all the meetings and are circulated to the full committee.

The committee has powers to co-opt from the membership additional committee personnel to work on specific projects. There are currently two co-opted members, one to progress a dedicated website and the other as SSN liaison officer.

Any member is able to stand, propose or second for the committee. Elections for vacancies are held at the AGM which is held during the annual conference. All members are encouraged to play an active role in the group to ensure that it remains responsive to the needs of the profession.

Any member may put forward ideas for meetings and events, contribute to the newsletter or proposed website, or raise issues for discussion by the committee or by the membership at the AGM.