The redefinition of the museum introduced by the new ICOM definition in 2022 marks a profound shift in the role of cultural institutions. No longer exclusively places dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of heritage, museums are now called upon to become dynamic, inclusive and participatory spaces, capable of generating knowledge, fostering dialogue and contributing to collective well-being.
Building on these premises, the programme promoted by Display & Design ETS through the international conference Museums and Sustainability: Needs and Opportunities, organised in collaboration with ICOM–ICAMT, invites museums and cultural institutions to reflect on their role in shaping more sustainable models of development.
The key questions remain: what role can museums play in addressing the environmental, social and economic challenges of our time? And how can this commitment be translated into governance models, decision-making processes and relationships with audiences, territories and stakeholders that are capable of generating sustainable and lasting impacts?
9:00 – 9:15 — Registration
9:15 – 9:25 — Institutional Greetings
9:25 – 9:45 — Opening Remarks
9:45 – 11:35 — SESSION I: Leadership for Change
How museums can effectively lead the sustainable transition at local and global level.
Leadership for sustainable change requires vision, listening and the ability to engage communities. As spaces for knowledge and dialogue, museums can play an effective role in leading the ecological transition at local and global level: by addressing environmental challenges, promoting responsible behaviours, experimenting with sustainable management practices and becoming laboratories for social innovation. Through educational programmes, local partnerships and international networks, museums can turn awareness into collective action, generating lasting impact.
Moderator:
9:45 – 10:00 | Cristiana Campanini
Speakers:
10:00 – 10:15 | Angelo Crespi
10:15 – 10:30 | Stefano Karadjov
10:30 – 10:45 | Lian The
10:45 – 11:35 | Panel Discussion and Q&A
11:35 – 13:25 — SESSION II: Benefits of Change
Discussing the environmental impacts and benefits, including economic ones, of small and large-scale changes that can be implemented.
Even small-scale changes can generate significant environmental and economic benefits. In museums with strong ties to their local context, adopting sustainable practices can help reduce ecological impact while supporting local economies. By rethinking spaces, materials and management practices in dialogue with their surroundings, museums can become active platforms for cultural and environmental development, generating positive effects within local communities and contributing to more effective protection of the natural and social heritage of the areas in which they operate.
Moderator:
11:35 – 11:50 | Maddalena d'Alfonso
Speakers:
11:50 – 12:05 | Luca di Franco
12:05 – 12:20 | Seger Bekkers
12:20 – 12:35 | Roberta Tenconi
12:35 – 13:25 | Panel Discussion and Q&A
13:25 – 14:25 — Lunch Break
14:25 – 16:15 — SESSION III: Future Scenarios
The future of museums and the possible ethical, symbolic and territorial implications of the sustainable transition.
Imagining the museums of the future means rethinking architectural and exhibition spaces through a sustainable lens. Buildings designed or renovated to reduce energy consumption and emissions, flexible layouts that make the most of natural light and encourage responsible use: these choices affect not only environmental impact, but also the way audiences perceive and experience the museum. Such interventions have ethical and symbolic implications, as the space itself becomes a message and a tangible expression of genuine commitment. At the same time, they create more welcoming and accessible places capable of offering new forms of cultural experience oriented towards the future.
Moderator:
14:25 – 14:40 | Giulia Mura
Speakers:
14:40 – 14:55 | Daria De Seta
14:55 – 15:10 | MVRDV
15:10 – 15:25 | Ricardo Ohtake (TBC)
15:25 – 16:15 | Panel Discussion and Q&A
16:15 – 18:05 — SESSION IV: A New Paradigm for Audiences
Inclusion, active participation and reducing gender and access inequalities in the museums of the future.
In the contemporary museum, artistic and curatorial practices, together with exhibition design choices, contribute to creating more open relationships between audiences and content. Inclusive design, participatory installations and accessible tools foster a welcoming experience for people with different sensory and motor abilities. Careful attention to language and spatial design can help address inequalities related to gender and access, allowing every visitor to identify with the narratives presented. In this way, exhibition design and curatorship become tools for expanding cultural participation and promoting a more equitable and shared experience.
Moderator:
16:15 – 16:30 | TBC
Speakers:
16:30 – 16:45 | Antonio Somaini (TBC)
16:45 – 17:00 | Filippo Lambertucci
17:00 – 17:15 | Francesco Martelli
17:15 – 18:05 | Panel Discussion and Q&A
18:05 – 18:25 — Closing Remarks