Partner Museums Meeting at the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin

Why this Network Matters - Proposals by the Network Members

For the participating museums, the network is far more than a loose affiliation of former programme partners. It is a practical resource: a space for professional exchange, mutual learning, and collaboration that creates tangible value for all involved institutions. During the meeting, several ideas emerged for making it even more valuable.

One proposal by the Facilitators that day was an online meeting called Collaboration in Motion - a "marketplace" of opportunities that would make concrete cooperation possibilities for Partner Museums and Alumni more visible and easier to pursue.

Secondly, participants also proposed exchange sessions on visa-related questions, allowing Partner Museums and Alumni to share experiences and support one another in navigating the practical challenges that often arise when staff or guests travel internationally as part of the collaborations.

Another proposal was the introduction of peer coaching, enabling museum leaders to draw on one another's experience when facing similar strategic or organizational challenges.

A common thread throughout the discussion was the recognition that the network's greatest strength lies in the practical exchange and mutual support it fosters between institutions. Participants expressed strong enthusiasm for creating more opportunities for this kind of targeted exchange in the future.

Securing the Network's Future

Building on this shared commitment, the Directors also discussed strategies for ensuring the long-term sustainability of TheMuseumsLab. Acknowledging that its future depends on the active engagement of all partners, they decided to reconvene to explore funding opportunities and reflect on possible contributions from the partner institutions.

Together with TheMuseumsLab Team, all ideas are now being explored further, with a view to implementing some measures as early as this year while developing others as longer-term initiatives.

The meeting reaffirmed a shared commitment to keeping the Network active, collaborative, and responsive to the needs of its members.

TheMuseumsLab Team thanks all participants for their thoughtful contributions and looks forward to taking the next steps together.