The speakers will reveal how they foster dialogue between opposing communities, manage controversies, and reflect on both their successes and challenges. With an honest, critical look at (their) institutions, they will offer valuable insights into the lessons learned and strategies for handling polarisation in the cultural sector.
Directly after the Slam session we welcome you to ask questions to the people presenting in the coffee break meet-up.
Learn more about the five presentations below.
- The tragedy of perspective in art museums
Rašeljka Bilić Boras (Croatia), Croatian Ministry of Culture and Media, and Ivor Crotty (Ireland/Croatia), Digital storyteller and educator
This presentation reflects on the polarised perspectives within art museums. Comparing art museums to rock bands—intimate, cult-like and like-minded communities—and government ministries to orchestras—large, heterogeneous, upholding traditions, heritage-focused institutions—the speakers will explore how Croatian museums navigate this duality. Museum directors in Croatia face numerous challenges, including building renovations, public engagement, and internal collaboration, all while transitioning from a post-socialist legacy to contemporary museology. Using personal experience, one former Associate Director who have been on both sides will, with the help of a storyteller, share how these challenges are shaping the future of museums in Croatia and offer insights into how institutions can meet evolving demands, including sustainable development.
- Stick to the plan - Trying to navigate right-wing populism
Jana Golombek (Germany), LWL Industrial Museum Zollern
A strong team, a clear stance, and good networks are essential to navigate through a "shitstorm". Taking the right-wing attack on the project "That's Colonial." as an example, Jana Golombek will share how a crisis can help to unveil those simple truths and help to build meaningful connections.
- Weddings and Pride on display
Cecilie Rørstad and Ingvill Naalsund (Norway), Viti
When schools in Ålesund were banned from flying the rainbow flag during Pride, a national debate ensued. Although the ban was overturned, public displays of the rainbow flag faced vandalism. Sunnmøre Museum, whose exhibition covers weddings and marriage, aimed to improve representation by including LGBTQ+ stories. Despite inviting the public to share wedding photos, none featured same-sex male couples. In collaboration with Bygdepride, the museum sought to fill this gap. However, a Facebook post by the museum sparked criticism from a local politician, who accused the institution of giving too much prominence for gay rights and for being overly political. The politician would return to the issue regarding future funding for the museum.
- Museum borders, and museum responsibilities: Possibilities to relate
Aivi Ross (Estonia), Estonian National Museum
This presentation shares the experience of the Estonian National Museum (ENM) in fostering dialogue between different cultural and language communities. Since 2018, the museum has offered short language and culture courses under the initiative "Live the Lives of Estonians." With Estonia hosting 70,000 war refugees from Ukraine since 2022, refugees and Russian-speaking locals with varying pollical views now meet at these courses. The museum also launched round-table discussions, starting with "WE CAN TALK: Does the language change the mind?". These conversations bring together conflicting communities and have sparked vital feedback online, at the event in Tartu and upcoming event in Russia-Estonia border town Narva. The museum continues to use dialogue as a tool for fostering understanding between different, sometimes conflicting, communities in the society. Bridging generations for change
Stephanie Bonnici (Malta, the Netherlands), European Cultural Foundation
As labels like “Boomers,” “Millennials,” and “Gen-Z” shape our understanding of one another, they often obscure the common ground we share. This presentation will explore how cultural organisations can harness intergenerational collaboration to empower young leaders, build resilience, and inspire hope in response to today’s global challenges.
NEMO's European Museum Conference 'Can we talk? Museums facing polarisation', takes place from 10-12 November 2024 in Sibiu, Romania, and seeks to address the vital role museums (can) play in today’s challenged democracies.
