July 6, 2025
Call Extended! Dubai 2025 Call for Papers! Future of Exhibitions! Conference
Submit your proposals here: Call for Papers!
Call for Papers for the International Committees Sessions and International Committees Day
Future of Exhibitions
ICOM Exhibitions Onsite at the Etihad Museum: A Full Day of Innovation, Dialogue, and Connection
Join ICOM Exhibitions for an immersive day at the iconic Etihad Museum in Dubai, where history and innovation intersect. This full-day program brings together global museum professionals for a curated experience of hands-on workshops, dialogue-driven sessions, and networking in one of the region’s most striking cultural venues.
Morning: Grounding & Co-Creation
Welcome & Curated Museum Tour
Begin the day with an exclusive guided tour of the Etihad Museum, featuring insights from the curatorial and design team on the storytelling strategies that bring the UAE’s unification to life.
Workshop: “Designing for Dialogue”
This interactive session explores how to embed participatory content and community-driven narratives into permanent and temporary exhibitions. Participants will map new content development models and co-creation workflows.
Midday: Practice Exchange & Provocation
Networking Lunch
Connect with colleagues from across the globe.
Lightning Talks: “What’s Next in Exhibition-Making?”
Hear from a diverse group of practitioners sharing provocative 5-minute talks on emerging trends—from AI tools to sensory-centered storytelling and experimental curation.
Futures Lab
Workshop: “Rapid Prototyping for Impact”
Using real-world challenges submitted by attendees, small teams will design and pitch innovative exhibition concepts with mentorship from international facilitators.
Group Reflection: Key Takeaways & Global Next Steps
A closing plenary gathers insights and shared commitments for future collaboration, with opportunities to join new ICOM working groups or partner projects.
Call for Papers
ICOM Exhibitions invites global museum professionals, designers, scholars, and cultural innovators to submit proposals for interactive presentations, lightning talks, and facilitated workshops during our full-day onsite program at the Etihad Museum in Dubai.
The event explores the evolving nature of exhibition-making through participatory practices, emerging technologies, and cross-cultural collaboration. We seek dynamic, practice-based contributions that foster dialogue and spark action across the museum field.
Session Themes & Formats:
- Workshop: “Designing for Dialogue”
Propose interactive formats, tools, or case studies that empower institutions to co-create content with communities, prioritize inclusive narratives, and build trust through transparency in design and interpretation. - Lightning Talks: “What’s Next in Exhibition-Making?”
Submit bold, forward-looking ideas (5-minute talks) on trends reshaping the field: digital storytelling, AI, sustainability, sensory engagement, multilingual access, or experimental curatorial methods. - Workshop: “Rapid Prototyping for Impact”
We welcome facilitators and design thinkers to lead teams in live prototyping sessions. Share methods or frameworks for ideation, iteration, and collaboration that respond to real-world exhibition challenges.
Submission Guidelines:
Abstract (max 100 words) clearly indicating the proposed session type
Short bio (max 150 words)
Indicate any tech or space needs for facilitation