Session A Archives

In the spirit of the inaugural General Conference in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, ICOM Dubai 2025 promises to be a groundbreaking and uniquely transformative experience for museum professionals, cultural leaders, and community members globally.

The scientific programme features engaging panels, interactive sessions, lecture performances, masterclasses, workshops and more, offering an exciting assemblage of critical cultural dialogue and cutting-edge innovation. Paralleling the diversity of Dubai, the organised sessions set an exemplary balance in the representation of not only age, geography, experience, and skillset, while also showcasing the wide range of museum interests, disciplines and global perspectives.

Under the theme ‘The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities’, we aim to work together to preserve, share, and delve into our cultural identities, reinforcing the role of museums as vital societal pillars and catalysts for growth. The Scientific Programme will interweave three sub-themes, ‘intangible heritage’, ‘youth power’, and ‘new technologies’, across the three days to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing museums today.

Each day is structured to explore a distinct dimension of rapidly changing communities, where sessions address the three sub-themes equally and together.

Considers the critical decisions museums make about which stories, assets, and cultural elements to prioritise, while maintaining their crucial role as stewards of historical truth, authenticity, and accuracy. In an era of technological change, misinformation, and climate challenges, how are preservation practices and the integrity of narratives affected?

Emirati woman demonstrating traditional palm frond weaving for ICOM Dubai 2025.

Welcome to Dubai, and welcome to the future of museums!

In the spirit of the inaugural General Conference in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, ICOM Dubai 2025 promises to be a groundbreaking and uniquely transformative experience for museum professionals, cultural leaders, and community members globally.

The scientific programme features engaging panels, interactive sessions, lecture performances, masterclasses, workshops and more, offering an exciting assemblage of critical cultural dialogue and cutting-edge innovation. Paralleling the diversity of Dubai, the organised sessions set an exemplary balance in the representation of not only age, geography, experience, and skillset, while also showcasing the wide range of museum interests, disciplines and global perspectives.

Under the theme ‘The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities’, we aim to work together to preserve, share, and delve into our cultural identities, reinforcing the role of museums as vital societal pillars and catalysts for growth. The Scientific Programme will interweave three sub-themes, ‘intangible heritage’, ‘youth power’, and ‘new technologies’, across the three days to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing museums today.

Each day is structured to explore a distinct dimension of rapidly changing communities, where sessions address the three sub-themes equally and together.

Looks at how museums reflect and adapt in response to global shifts in societal values, cultural norms, and demographic changes within communities. This day offers actionable insight into how museums can cultivate representative and responsive institutions that serve the changing needs of the public.

Welcome to Dubai, and welcome to the future of museums!

In the spirit of the inaugural General Conference in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, ICOM Dubai 2025 promises to be a groundbreaking and uniquely transformative experience for museum professionals, cultural leaders, and community members globally.

The scientific programme features engaging panels, interactive sessions, lecture performances, masterclasses, workshops and more, offering an exciting assemblage of critical cultural dialogue and cutting-edge innovation. Paralleling the diversity of Dubai, the organised sessions set an exemplary balance in the representation of not only age, geography, experience, and skillset, while also showcasing the wide range of museum interests, disciplines and global perspectives.

Under the theme ‘The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities’, we aim to work together to preserve, share, and delve into our cultural identities, reinforcing the role of museums as vital societal pillars and catalysts for growth. The Scientific Programme will interweave three sub-themes, ‘intangible heritage’, ‘youth power’, and ‘new technologies’, across the three days to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing museums today.

Each day is structured to explore a distinct dimension of rapidly changing communities, where sessions address the three sub-themes equally and together.

Explores the vital role museums play in helping communities navigate and access opportunities amongst social, economic, and environmental challenges.

Welcome to Dubai, and welcome to the future of museums!

The ICOM Dubai 2025 programme of tours and excursions promises to be an unparalleled experience, designed to immerse participants in the vibrant culture, history, and dynamism of the United Arab Emirates. Taking place on Sunday 16th November, 2025, this exciting programme will offer a series of tailored excursions and events that will showcase the UAE in all its diversity, blending the country’s unique mix of rich traditions and hyper-modernity.

Participants will explore all seven emirates, each with its own distinctive identity, yet collectively embodying the UAE’s essence. From world-class museums and institutions in urban centres to smaller, more intimate cultural spots deeply rooted in local heritage, the programme will offer something for every interest. The programme will take participants on a journey to explore the UAE’s living heritage, engage meaningfully with a dynamic new generation of professionals and creatives, and experience some of the most innovative technologies shaping the cultural sector.

Expect to visit a wide range of sites and destinations, spanning multiple disciplines including archaeology, art, architecture, ethnography, performing arts, craft, culinary art, history, design, sustainability, and more. Participants will have the rare opportunity to step into the UAE’s past at significant archaeological sites and historical landmarks, witness exceptional contemporary architecture, explore the living heritage of the UAE and experience how the UAE has become a global hub for innovation, technology, and sustainable development. A memorable feature of this Emirati journey will be experiencing many of the UAE’s sixteen intangible heritage practices that are inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

The ICOM Dubai 2025 programme of tours and excursions is designed to enhance the conference experience, offering participants the opportunity to connect, share experiences, and immerse themselves in the culture of the United Arab Emirates. Stay tuned for a detailed list of sites and experiences to be revealed soon!

Traditional Emirati architecture the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, featured at ICOM Dubai 2025

Digital Media and Sustainability: Developments from the perspectives of AVICOM and SUSTAIN

The production / use of digital media by museums—from websites, mobile applications to social media—has grown enormously in recent years. This development has revealed significant differences in terms of content quality on the one hand, and compliance with the United Nations’ declared Sustainable Development Goals on the other. This interdisciplinary session aims to analyze developments from the perspectives of AVICOM, the committee for media, and SUSTAIN, the committee for sustainability. It will identify problems, shortcomings, and demands, while also presenting best-practice examples. Fundamentally, this session will also address the question of which digital initiatives and engagements are meaningful, unnecessary, or should be rejected in light of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Urban heritage: people and (re)presentation in rapidly changing cities

In a world of cities in constant transformation, how is urban heritage being researched, interpreted and deployed? Who holds the power to decide what is worth preserving and how it should be represented? How do city museums grapple with tensions generated by generational differences and technological change?

As part of the ICOM Dubai Triennial 2025 Conference, CAMOC will explore how city museums or other organizations interested in urban life and heritage can be active agents in shaping future communities in diverse urban contexts around the world – with particular interest in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region.

We will explore how museums can contribute to inclusive and just representations of urban heritage, reflecting the voices of different communities who have contributed to their cities’ histories and who continue to shape their evolution. Learn more at https://camoc.mini.icom.museum/conferences/dubai-2025/

Call for Papers

The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025

For Urban heritage: people and (re)presentation in rapidly changing cities, we invite proposals for 10-minute presentations that touch on one of the following thematic areas:

Tangible and intangible urban heritage
How do city and urban-focused museums explore, interpret and facilitate multiple (and contested) expressions of the city, including representations of overlooked, marginal or transitional urban spaces?
Contemporary urban social practices; official and unofficial uses of public space; informal economies; community festivals; adaptations and reappropriations; neighborhoods and community spaces; mobility and transport networks; peripheries and interstitial spaces

Intergenerational collaborations/dialogue in the museum sector
How do museums engage differences across ages within a city?
Cultural mediation practices; youth engagement; intergenerational activities; collecting and exhibiting youth culture; memory and identity; urban regeneration through age-focused engagement

Artificial intelligence and urban heritage
How are rapid advances in AI-based digital technologies reshaping the preservation, representation, and creation of urban heritage?
Intangible urban experiences in a digital format; digital platforms to present urban heritage in innovative ways; community archiving; social media as urban narrative space; changing research methodologies

Submission guidelines
Please submit abstracts of up to 300 words for consideration. Include 5 keywords for your topic at the beginning of the abstract. Also include a brief biographical note.

We have a limited number of presentation spots for this conference, so presentations are expected to be limited to 10 minutes and will need to be in person at the conference.

For questions, contact camoc.secretary@gmail.com

Call for Paper

CECA’s Special Interest Groups: Synthesis and results of five years of online activiies

CECA’s Special Interest Groups have been initiated during the COVID shutdown to encourage continuous contacts and common work between members. Multilinguals, they meet on Line between 4 to 8 times a year, covering themes such as:” Inclusive museum, global accessibility” ” Surveying audience reception of educational and cultural programme ” ” Professional development of museum educators ” ” Museum Education and Decolonization ” ” Sensitive mediation ” ” Ypung members network “. This session will give their coordinators the opportunity to present the result of their work and encourage new attendees for their future meetings.

Documentation 101: Principles and Global examples

Session A: This session will introduce our audience to the core activities of ICOM DOCUMENTATION (formerly CIDOC). Across three presentations, we will introduce guiding principles for documenting collections across the span of museums and museum archives; we’ll provide an overview of the global standards we support and recommend, their importance and scope; we will discuss our ongoing project to define what “museum documentation” means for our broad community, in a changing museum and technological environment; and we will also discuss precise examples of museum documentation principles and systems at a national level, and how those are utilized.

The Landscape of Memory and Resistance Through Music and Performance

Music, while often thought of as intangible heritage, is also reflected in the material culture found in many types of museum collections. The ubiquity of music in cultural life, the myriad ways in which it delights and moves people, and its rich scope for cultural significance at many levels, make music and its tangible heritage important fields of inquiry and collaborative research. Musical instruments may be viewed at the heart of such investigations, yet when placed within historical and contemporary contexts, musical practices may be intertwined with other artefacts which also embody and express cultural identity, social, political, and spiritual ideas and values. Best practices in museum work allow for new ways for society to see, hear, access and engage with tangible and intangible heritage, and learn about the histories, artistry, craft, and techniques. The importance and fragility of such work is directly impacted by current wars and conflicts, suppressing and destroying material and immaterial cultural heritage.

Navigating the Chain of Accessibility

In this fast-paced workshop, participants will analyze each stage of the Accessibility Chain, while receiving tools to create action-items to apply it in their institutions. The Accessibility Chain, also known as the mobility chain, is a process that ensures accessibility and universal design at all stages of an experience. It focuses on creating inclusive environments by considering accessibility needs from the user’s perspective, starting with their initial decision to visit and ending with their safe return home. The Chain not only applies to people with disabilities (visual, auditory, motor, cognitive and learning), but also those who experience social, economic or ethnic/cultural disadvantages. Facilitators: Annkatrin Mayer, Dialog Haus Hamburg, Amparo Leyman Pino, Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Intangible Heritage

We will explore the positioning of museums with Egyptian and Sudanese collections as dynamic entities capable of safeguarding intangible heritage in an ever-evolving global landscape. In the face of rapid transformations driven by technological progress, shifting demographics, migration flux, mutations in social patterns, and environmental changes, the safeguarding of intangible heritage is of significant concern worldwide. We will discuss continuity and revitalisation of intangible heritage, the preservation of intangible heritage and how to safeguard the ancient Egyptian and Sudanese collective cultural legacy for both today and tomorrow.

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

The themes of CIPEG in Dubai follows the three sub-themes of the ICOM General Conference. Depending on our registrations we will divide the papers between session A and B. Session C together with UMAC will also encompass the themes Youth Power and New Technologies. For the theme of Session A, Intangible Heritage in connection with Egyptian and Sudanese collections, some possible topics can include handicrafts, arts and rituals.

We aim at papers being 10 min. and 5 min. discussion. More details will follow.

Call for Paper

Homo Viator. Dressing Nomads, Travelers, Migrants and Pilgrims. Ethical Challenges and Implications

The nomadic lifestyle is connected with the beginnings of many civilizations, but it is also an important feature of the culture of numerous contemporary societies. This Costume and ICEthics invites submissions for research papers that explore the multifaceted relationship between dress and nomadic cultures, focusing on the ethical challenges and implications that arise from these interactions and also the issue of clothing for different kinds of journeys, in all aspects of this phenomenon and from all of communities, regions and times.

Clothing traditions of ancient and modern nomads often hold deep symbolic meaning, reflecting identity, status, and worldview. However, the study, preservation, and representation of these traditions, particularly in an increasingly globalised world, raise complex ethical questions.

This session addresses these issues by bringing together interdisciplinary perspectives from archaeology, anthropology, fashion studies, cultural studies, history, and ethics.

The House Museum as a Witness to the Contemporary World

Traditionally, house museums have been seen as portals to the past, preserving the memory of historical figures and their lived environments. Nevertheless, in the face of contemporary challenges, house museums also serve as active sites of engagement with present-day cultural shifts.

This session will examine the evolving role of house museums in reflecting contemporary life, documenting present experiences for future generations, and juxtaposing historical lifestyles with modern realities.

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

Traditionally, house museums have been seen as portals to the past, preserving the memory of historical figures and their lived environments. Nevertheless, in the face of contemporary challenges, house museums also serve as active sites of engagement with present-day cultural shifts.

This session will examine the evolving role of house museums in reflecting contemporary life, documenting present experiences for future generations, and juxtaposing historical lifestyles with modern realities.
Key questions include:

How can house museums provide a platform for contemporary culture while maintaining their historical narratives?
How can they foster dialogue between past and present, addressing issues of social change, migration, and identity formation?
What innovative strategies can house museums employ to remain relevant and engaging in today’s rapidly changing communities?

We invite papers that explore these ideas through case studies, theoretical approaches, and innovative curatorial practices that redefine house museums as dynamic, living spaces of cultural documentation.
Presentations are welcome in person or hybrid format. Each presentation should be no longer than 10 minutes and can use *PPTX/PDF or compatible programs

Call for Paper

Adornment and Identity

This joint session between GLASS and DESIGN (formerly ICDAD) explores adornment in the decorative arts—including glass and other artistic mediums—as a means of expressing identity, heritage, and social belonging. It considers how these practices persist, adapt, and communicate meaning across cultures and time. Papers also relating to the subthemes of the conference, “intangible heritage,” “youth power,” and new technologies” are especially welcome, in alignment with the ICOM Dubai 2025 theme, “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.”

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

This joint session between GLASS and DESIGN (formerly ICDAD) invites papers that explore the art of adornment as a powerful expression of personal, social, and cultural identity in the decorative arts. From art objects crafted in glass and other mediums to the lavish details of interior décor and architectural design, this theme seeks to examine how embellishment not only serves to decorate but also to communicate belonging, status, beliefs, and heritage. How do practices of adornment define individual and collective identities? In what ways do these practices adapt or persist amid the shifting dynamics of globalization and cultural exchange?

Preference will be given to papers engaging with the three subthemes of the ICOM General Conference in Dubai—“intangible heritage,” “youth power,” and “new technologies”—which align with the overarching ICOM Dubai 2025 General Conference theme, “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.”

How are traditional artistic techniques preserved as intangible heritage that connects communities to their past? What challenges arise in sustaining and transmitting artisanal skills and cultural knowledge in contemporary contexts? How does the creativity and energy of younger generations reinterpret and reinvigorate historic traditions to reflect evolving identities? What innovative roles do emerging technologies play in documenting, preserving, and reimagining the decorative arts to engage diverse audiences in museums today?

This theme invites a rich exploration of adornment in glass and other decorative arts as a lens for understanding identity, offering opportunities to uncover the narratives embedded in material culture and the ways they continue to shape personal and collective experiences in a rapidly changing world.

Call for Paper

Shaping Tomorrow’s Stories: Emerging Trends in Content Development

This dynamic panel explores the latest trends transforming content development in exhibitions today. From AI-driven interpretation and co-created storytelling to immersive, sensory-rich environments and community-authored narratives, panelists will share innovative approaches reshaping how museums engage audiences. The session highlights how institutions are embracing experimentation, inclusivity, and technology to deliver relevant, resonant content that meets evolving visitor expectations. Join global thought leaders as they discuss the opportunities and challenges of creating agile, future-forward content across diverse cultural contexts. This conversation will inspire new thinking around collaboration, authenticity, and the role of museums as responsive platforms for dialogue and discovery.

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

ICOM Exhibitions invites proposals for our upcoming panel session exploring new trends in exhibition content development. As museums and cultural institutions reimagine their roles in an ever-changing world, how we develop and deliver content is evolving rapidly. This session seeks fresh perspectives, case studies, and provocations around innovative practices that are redefining the visitor experience.

We welcome submissions addressing (but not limited to):
Co-creation and participatory content strategies
AI and digital tools in content development
Decentering institutional narratives
Experimental interpretive formats
Inclusive and accessible storytelling
Responsive content for diverse audiences
Community-authored and activist exhibitions
Agile workflows for rapid content adaptation

We encourage submissions from museum professionals, independent practitioners, technologists, artists, and scholars across the globe. Selected speakers will present short, engaging talks followed by a moderated discussion.

Submit your abstract (max 100 words) and short bio.

Let’s explore how content is being reimagined as a tool for dialogue, disruption, and deeper connection.

Call for Paper

Session 1: Traditions and Fusions – The Role of Museums in a Changing World

In an era of rapid globalization and cultural exchange, artistic traditions are constantly evolving through fusion with other influences. Museums, as cultural institutions, play a crucial role in preserving heritage while also adapting to contemporary transformations. This session explores how museums can navigate the balance between safeguarding traditional art forms and embracing new, hybrid artistic expressions.

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

We particularly welcome proposals that introduce new challenges and approaches for fine art museums, reflecting their dual role of museums as preservers of heritage and as dynamic platforms for the future.

Expected presentations may include topics such as:
– Moving beyond geographical categorizations in curatorial practice and museum policy
– Implications of decolonization in collections and narratives
– Showcasing the fusion of different cultures
– Recontextualizing traditional art forms in the contemporary world
– Cross-cultural collaboration in museum practices and community engagement

Call for Paper

Literary and Composers’ Museums, House Museums of Writers and Musicians towards the Future

Literary and composers’ museums are facing new challenges in a rapidly changing world. Literary and musical museums around the world, along with the homes of writers, poets, playwrights, librettists and translators, musicians, composers, singers and dancers, must deal with technological evolution, artificial intelligence, and new means of communication. What will the literary and musical works of the future be like? Will the human creativity that has brought us the masterpieces we know in all literatures and world music be preserved? To address change, it is necessary to know and promote the works of writers and composers who are the living cultural heritage of all countries and a paradigm of the cultural identity of our peoples and nations. The literary and musical museums of the ICLCM Committee present their best practices and their work to make literature, poetry and music a common heritage for the enrichment of the spirit.

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

Call for Paper

Museum Practice in the age of AI: use of new technologies and ethical implications

This session explores how emerging technologies and social media are reshaping and challenging museum practice. ICME invites curators, educators and museum workers to participate, particularly colleagues working in and with Indigenous and community-based institutions. Presenters will share their experience, concerns and reflections using AI, digital tools and other innovations on curatorial and institutional practice. Are these technologies really helping museums stay relevant for younger audiences, or do they represent a risk for community-based work? How are local communities reacting? Are these “new” tools facilitating the respect for sensitive collections and access to different knowledges and creativity, or on the contrary, are they reinforcing extraction and cultural appropriation?

ICME aims to join the global conversation on ethical frameworks as our field increasingly adopts digital tools. In this session we encourage discussions on the implications and responsibilities of using new technologies. We ask: What responsibilities do museums with Indigenous and sensitive material culture have when sharing digital collections, or when AI companies train their models on open-access ethnographic collections? We invite presenters to discuss the way museums can become advocates for digital rights and cultural sovereignty, through ethical and responsible AI use.

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

The committee calls for a variety of proposed contributions, including papers, posters, roundtables, and panels from colleagues who work on collections, exhibitions and programming that aim to diversify audiences and reconsider interpretive practice, whilst valuing and respecting traditional heritages and practices. Proposals for papers (15 minutes or less) or panels (60 minutes or less) should not exceed 300 words. Proposals will be submitted through the ICOM General Conference website.

The following information should be included with the abstract proposal:

Title of submitted proposal
Indicate if it is a paper, panel session or workshop:
Name(s) of Author(s) or presenters
Affiliation(s) & full address(es)
Position:
Email:
ICOM membership number (membership is not required)
ICME Member yes/no (membership is not required)
Technical requirements for the proposed presentation
150-word short biographical statement for each presenter

Your abstracts should be submitted through the ICOM Portal by 15nd of July 2025, midnight CET. A copy can be sent to icom.icme@gmail.com. Accepted proposals will be notified by 31st of July 2025. Acceptable formats are Microsoft Word (.docx) and PDF. The abstract language must be submitted in English. Presentations will be delivered in English during the General Conference. We hope that you join us in person at the meeting, but virtual contributions are welcome.

We invite international proposals that focus on ethnographic, anthropology, world culture or society museums. However, we would like to hear from colleagues working in or on museums and museological issues, views, or topics of every kind. We are keen to review issues of coloniality, indigeneity, diversity, (in)equality and social justice. Submissions may be edited by the Conference and Scientific Committees for the program booklet.

Call for Paper

Museum Disaster Preparedness.

1. How can museums actively prepare for hybrid threats, combining cyber risks, disinformation and physical danger.

2. Planning for the unthinkable, are museums and heritage sites prepared for conflict. What can we learn from recent and historical experience.

3. Hospitality under pressure: Welcoming visitors in a society under strain. How can museums continue to offer a welcoming environment in times of societal pressure and polarization.

Designing for the Invisible: Architecture, Design and Digital Strategies for Showcasing Intangible Heritage

This session will explore the vital role of museum architecture and techniques in presenting intangible heritage. It will examine how spaces can be shaped to foster creativity, learning, and participation, encouraging engagement with cultural narratives, history, and contemporary issues. It will also focus on innovative case studies that are adapted to diverse audiences, showcasing how museum buildings and exhibition design create dynamic spaces for engaging with intangible heritage, enhancing accessibility, impact and making cultural traditions more relatable.

Call for Papers

Abstracts can cover topics listed below, but not only:

Architectural strategies and case studies of museums which translate intangible heritage into tangible, multi-sensory experiences, through spatial design and materiality.
The role of museum architecture and exhibition design in creating immersive environments using the digital to evoke the intangible, such as rituals, oral histories, and traditions.
How adaptive reuse and flexible design can safeguard and present intangible heritage while allowing for evolving cultural narratives.
Exploring how sustainable materials, museography and architectural practices can respect and reflect intangible cultural values.
The challenges and opportunities in designing museum spaces that encourage youth/community participation and dynamically save and present intangible heritage.

The proposal should include the following:

Session title (A, B or C)
Title of the paper
Name(s) of Author(s)
Abstract (do not exceed 300 words / no images nor bibliography)
3-5 Keywords
. Short bio (max. 300 words) of the author (for each author, in case of the joint work)
Affiliation
Full address: country, city, phone numbers, e-mail address (of each author in case of the joint proposal)
ICOM membership number, committee (for each author, in case of the joint proposal).

All Abstracts should be sent in English.

Call for Paper

Imagining the Next Generation of Museum Professionals: Bridging Gaps, Breaking Barriers

Session A of this joint symposium, collaboratively organised by ICOFOM, ICTOP, and COMCOL, is entitled “Imagining the Next Generation of Museum Professionals: Bridging Gaps, Breaking Barriers.” Structured as a three-part symposium, the series brings together diverse perspectives on shaping the future of museum work. This session will critically explore current global practices in museum studies education and professional training, examining how theory and practice align in today’s museum sector and addressing both ethical and practical challenges.

Through a series of presentations and discussions, the symposium will engage with five central themes: Museum Studies and the Curriculum; Museology; Diversifying Programmes and Practices; Collecting as an Act of Care; and Building Sector Capacity. We aim to foster robust dialogue among scholars, practitioners, educators, and students, addressing global and community-specific needs, diversity, decolonial methodologies, participatory collecting practices, and sustainable capacity building.

Academic Program

Academic exchange in the field of interest of ICOMAM (Arms & Military). Topic: The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

We invite you to submit a paper for the XIV symposium of ICOMAM (ICOM: Arms & Military) during the 27th General Conference of ICOM in Dubai, 11 – 17 November 2025.
To submit your paper, please send an abstract of your study proposal (maximum 220 words), and a biography (maximum 110 words). Include: name, title, institution, your function.
The submission will be subject of a selection. The board selects the submitted proposals.
After the symposium, it will result in a peer-reviewed publication. All papers will be considered for publication. A style guide and publication guidelines for authors will follow afterwards and a deadline will be set up.

Call for Paper

Preserving Traditional Conservation and Restoration Knowledge

While conservation practices continually evolve with the latest scientific advancements, our understanding of the materials chosen by artisans and their crafting processes is deeply rooted in a profound appreciation of traditional techniques. This session, organised in collaboration with ICOM-Japan, will focus on preserving these valuable techniques for future generations.

Strategic Planning for Regional and Local Museums in Response to Crisis for the Archaeological Heritage Preservation

This session is designed to examine how museums prepare for significant events and the insights that can be derived from museum professionals during or after such incidents. The experiences of these professionals in disaster response provide valuable information to the museum sector regarding strategies aimed at safeguarding lives, collections, and archaeological sites. This knowledge will be disseminated through case studies that detail effective planning prior to disasters, responses during crises, and successful communication strategies that have been implemented.

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

Themes:

Resources allocation: to protect archaeological sites and collections from
potential risks.
Risk Management plans: that involve input and participation from local
communities in regional museums.
Innovative Methods & Strategies: to prioritize historical and archaeological
collections for preservation during emergencies, ensuring
smart resource allocation, and the successful interventions to uncover the key factors that contributed to their effectiveness
Fast Response: the essential responses that must be adopted in times of conflict
or crisis.
Museums & Communication: The pivotal role museums play in communication
during disasters and their critical contributions during
the recovery phase.
New Generation of Museum Professionals: Involvement of youth in the
protection of local identities and cultural heritage.

Call for Paper

Museum Funding: Emerging Trends and New Futures

Museums play a crucial role in fostering well-being, encouraging critical thinking, and contributing to social cohesion in a rapidly changing global world. To continue and build on this work, museums require a secure resource base. A recent ICOM-IMREC research project undertaken by the International Research Alliance on Public Funding for Museums (IRAPFM) and initiated by ICOM-IMREC raises the alarm on the worldwide state of public funding for the sector. This global study reveals a pattern of consistent funding decline over the last two decades. This session will explore the global situation of public funding, its impact, how museums are responding with new funding models, and why advocacy is a strategic necessity for a sustainable future.

• Moderator: Carol Scott
• Keynotes: Michele Rivet, Marek Prokupek

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

“Museum Funding: Emerging Trends and New Futures”

We expect flash papers @ 7 minutes on current trends in museum funding should help to gain insight into various possibilities for a healthy financial continuity, and what options exist for museums in securing it. Papers will be asked to address (a) examples of the impact of government funding being reduced or withdrawn (b) innovative examples of self- generated income (c) examples of new funding models (d) examples of a successful advocacy campaign to raise awareness of the need for on-going government funding.

Call for Paper

Intangible Heritage—Storytelling, Identity, and Relevance

Dissemination and promotion of intangible cultural heritage from one generation to the next has traditionally been transmitted through a variety of means, including oral, written, musical, and pictorial. How do we as museum communicators respect authenticity, sensitivities, living traditions, and marginalized communities when we develop, disseminate, promote, and evaluate effectiveness of compelling content and narratives that appeal to a broader audience and drive engagement, utilizing twenty-first century communications media, technology, terminology, methodologies, and platforms?
Through presentations and interactive discussions, ICOM COMMS (former MPR) will address topics of interest to museum communicators, marketers, fundraisers, and community engagement specialists, including digital storytelling, ethical parameters for shareable content, social media and podcast strategies, news media and influencer relationships, crisis management when navigating cultural appropriation concerns, and community-centered fundraising.

Call for Papers

(The deadline for the call for papers has been extended to 15th July 2025)

ICOM COMMS (former MPR) submissions should primarily address one of the three major following topics – #1, #2, #3:

1) Digital Storytelling for Intangible Heritage

Translating intangible heritage into compelling narratives for diverse audiences
Using social media platforms to document and share living traditions
Podcast development strategies to amplify community or marginalized voices
Creating shareable content that respects cultural sensitivity

Key Discussion Points may include ethical frameworks for digitizing oral histories and traditions, platform-specific strategies (Instagram Stories vs. TikTok vs. YouTube), measuring engagement while respecting cultural ownership, and balancing preservation with accessibility.

2) Public Relations Approaches for Promoting Intangible Cultural Practices

Innovative media strategies and campaigns that avoid the exoticization of traditions
Building relationships with cultural journalists and social media influencers
Crisis management when navigating cultural appropriation concerns
Parameters for developing and evaluating relevance and impact

Key Discussion Points may include role-playing media interviews on sensitive topics, appealing to new audiences unfamiliar with the issues, developing relevant media campaigns and talking points that center community voices, and examples of successful and problematic coverage.

3) Community-Centered Fundraising for Intangible Heritage

How can museums generate social engagement without being targeted by extremists?
Developing donor campaigns that connect emotional value to preservation
Grant writing strategies highlighting community impact
Ethical considerations in corporate sponsorships for cultural programs

Key Discussion Points may include creating donor incentives that don’t commodify tradition, building fundraising campaigns with community input, metrics beyond money: measuring cultural impact for funders, and ethical screening criteria for potential sponsors.

Call for Paper

Reconsidering the division between Natural and Cultural Heritage: The Role of Natural History collections in reactivating intangible knowledge

Reconnecting museum collections of cultural heritage – the belongings of people – with their origins and stories has contributed to the enrichment of identity and to intangible knowledge-building by connecting the past with the present, moving beyond safeguarding, to reactivating areas of intangible knowledge.
Natural History museums and collections are becoming public places where environmental issues and their anthropogenic origins are addressed. This has led to new approaches to the interactions between people and nature, with a desire to showcase the close connections between cultural and natural heritage in articulating issues which now affect modern societies across the world, such as climate change, increased pollution, migration and habitat loss.
We believe collections of cultural and natural heritage need to be more integrated in current analyses. This work is now urgent, as it is directly impacted by current wars and conflicts as well as transformations of habitat, which have altered material and immaterial cultural heritage. This session welcomes case studies and reflections on the interdisciplinary potential of such work.

We look forward to reading your submissions and meeting you in Dubai!

The Present and Future of Social Museology

The session will include four keynote speakers with different approaches to the current state and the future of Social Museology in their regions. Presenters will cover topics spanning from the development of community-based museums and heritage organisations, to their challenges and potentials in the preservation of heritage. Case studies will include examples of collaborative projects based on a relational ethics, the participation of community in larger institutions and the practice of experimental museologies in grassroots organisations.

Session A

Session A 12th November 2025, 14:30 – 16:00 (Subject to Modifications)

A-1

AVICOM & SUSTAIN

Digital Media and Sustainability: Developments from the perspectives of AVICOM and SUSTAIN

A-2

CAMOC

Urban heritage: people and (re)presentation in rapidly changing cities

A-3

CECA

CECA’s Special Interest Groups: Synthesis and results of five years of online activiies

A-4

DOCUMENTATION

Documentation 101: Principles and Global examples

A-5

MUSIC, ICMEMOHRI

The Landscape of Memory and Resistance Through Music and Performance

A-6

CIMUSET

Navigating the Chain of Accessibility

A-7

CIPEG

Intangible Heritage

A-8

COSTUME, ICEthics

Homo Viator. Dressing Nomads, Travelers, Migrants and Pilgrims. Ethical Challenges and Implications

A-9

DEMHIST

The House Museum as a Witness to the Contemporary World

A-10

DESIGN (ICDAD), GLASS

Adornment and Identity

A-11

ICEE

Shaping Tomorrow’s Stories: Emerging Trends in Content Development

A-12

ICFA

Session 1: Traditions and Fusions – The Role of Museums in a Changing World

A-13

ICLCM

Literary and Composers’ Museums, House Museums of Writers and Musicians towards the Future

A-14

ICME

Museum Practice in the age of AI: use of new technologies and ethical implications

A-15

ICMS

Museum Disaster Preparedness.

A-16

ICAMT

Designing for the Invisible: Architecture, Design and Digital Strategies for Showcasing Intangible Heritage

A-17

ICOFOM, COMCOL, ICTOP

Imagining the Next Generation of Museum Professionals: Bridging Gaps, Breaking Barriers

A-18

ICOMAM

Academic Program

A-19

ICOM-CC

Preserving Traditional Conservation and Restoration Knowledge

A-20

ICR, ICMAH, DRMC

Strategic Planning for Regional and Local Museums in Response to Crisis for the Archaeological Heritage Preservation

A-21

INTERCOM, ICOMON

Museum Funding: Emerging Trends and New Futures

A-22

ICOM COMMS

Intangible Heritage—Storytelling, Identity, and Relevance

A-23

NATHIST, UMAC

Reconsidering the division between Natural and Cultural Heritage: The Role of Natural History collections in reactivating intangible knowledge

A-24

SOMUS

The Present and Future of Social Museology

Participants will be required to submit the following information:

A-1 AVICOM & SUSTAIN

Digital Media and Sustainability: Developments from the perspectives of AVICOM and SUSTAIN

A-2 CAMOC

Urban heritage: people and (re)presentation in rapidly changing cities

A-3 CECA

Session A
12th November 2025, 14:30 – 16:00 (Subject to Modifications)