A Workshop Towards a Sustainable Development Strategy
A participatory workshop that guides museum teams in the practical application of sustainability strategies through a toolkit comprising a toolbook and five canvases. Tailored to each institution, the process encourages self-assessment and the development of strategies across four key areas — relationships, environment, techniques and market — with the aim of strengthening the role of museums as drivers of sustainable development.
TOOLKIT: TOOLBOOK + 5 CANVASES
SELF-ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR MUSEUMS
Culture has a unique power to foster greater awareness of the responsible use of resources in a world where they are becoming increasingly limited. In this context, museums are emerging as key actors in driving meaningful change, demonstrating a growing commitment to actively contributing to a sustainable future. No longer simply custodians of cultural heritage, museums are evolving towards a more dynamic role: as laboratories for cultural innovation and catalysts for social, economic and environmental change.
The latest ICOM conferences in Dubai, Kyoto and Prague have helped shape this new vision, highlighting how museums can offer dynamic, creative and immersive experiences that go beyond the optimised management of their own resources. Museum sustainability is becoming a central element not only of internal organisation, but also of the planning and delivery of activities, events and exhibitions that foster awareness and encourage responsible behaviour.
Thanks to their cultural relevance, museums can lead sustainability practices by engaging professionals, communities and stakeholders. Sustainability is not merely an organisational challenge, but an opportunity to inspire and raise awareness among audiences, contributing to a more responsible and conscious society.
The Four Areas of Museum Sustainability
To address the challenge of sustainability, we have identified four key areas: Relationships, Environment, Techniques and Market.
These pillars form an integrated approach that brings together innovation and tradition.
RELATIONSHIPS
Museums are deeply intertwined with the history, society and places in which they operate, building both tangible and intangible connections. The primary objective is to foster dialogue and interaction among different social groups, promoting inclusion and participation. Relationships become the driving force behind leadership for change, positioning the museum as a guide and source of inspiration for audiences and stakeholders.
ENVIRONMENT
The environment encompasses both the built spaces and the surrounding ecosystems. Museums can reduce their ecological impact by adopting sustainable practices and raising awareness within the community. This approach enables cultural institutions to strengthen their connection with the urban and natural context in which they operate, promoting concrete actions for positive change.
TECHNIQUES
Techniques encompass digital and innovative tools that improve efficiency and accessibility, from the conservation of cultural heritage to the dissemination of knowledge. Digitalisation can reduce the use of physical resources, while the adoption of advanced technologies helps ensure the proper conservation of collections and enables more inclusive and interactive forms of engagement.
MARKET
By operating within the market, museums need to be able to attract financial and cultural resources. The objective is to develop activities that enhance cultural resources while supporting local economic development through partnerships and shared projects.
Operational Tools: Toolbook + 5 Canvas
To facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices, a toolbook featuring five operational canvases has been developed. These tools help museums design targeted strategies and implement concrete, measurable action plans.
A facilitator guides the workshop, encouraging active participation and dialogue among participants.
Canvas 1: Leadership for Change
Explores the connections between audiences, partners and competitors, supporting museums in leading sustainable cultural transformation.
Canvas 2: Digitalisation and Conservation
Supports the management of cultural resources through innovative technologies that reduce waste and improve access to cultural heritage.
Canvas 3: Measuring Impacts
Helps institutions monitor the ecological impact of their activities, engaging visitors and staff in promoting sustainability.
Canvas 4: Economic Balance
Explores how economic sustainability and environmental sustainability can reinforce one another, highlighting funding opportunities and both economic and ecological returns.
Towards the Future
The future of this project lies in implementing the toolkit with a pilot group of museums. This process will make it possible to adapt the strategies to the specific needs of each institution, while enhancing their replicability across different contexts.
The ultimate goal is to demonstrate how museums can become reference points for economic, social and environmental development, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. By actively engaging audiences and stakeholders, cultural institutions can foster change towards a more sustainable, innovative and inclusive future.
Display & Design Cultural Association ETS is committed to further developing the toolkit, seeking funding to enhance its graphic interface, introduce dedicated digital tools, and experiment with different approaches and timeframes for implementation and facilitation. This project represents a significant step towards more conscious museum management, in which every museum can become a catalyst for positive change.