Athens Conference to Explore How Museums Can Function as ‘Change Agents’ in Society

Museum and cultural professionals from Greece, the U.S. and the UK will attend the 5th Museum Day-Conference at the Benaki Museum Pireos Street Annexe in Athens on Thursday, November 26, to examine how museums, cultural entities and initiatives can engage with diverse audiences and drive changes in society.

The 5th Museum Day-Conference entitled “The Inclusive Museum: Broadening the Role of Museums and Cultural Institutions in Society” is co-organized by the Benaki Museum, the U.S. Embassy in Athens and the British Council.

During the conference, the deputy director of New York’s New Museum, Karen Wong, will share the concept of the Ideas City festival, a collaborative, civic and creative enterprise that expands the museum beyond its walls into the civic realm.

Anita Contini, Art Program, Bloomberg Philanthropies, will present ways of audience engagement in a digital world.

Esme Ward, Head of Engagement at the Whitworth and Manchester Museum — awarded the Museum of the Year prize for 2015 by Artfund — will talk about taking creative risks and initiatives in order to make the community part of the artistic and creative mission of the museum.

Representatives from Greek museums, cultural institutions and cultural initiatives will also contribute to the discussion.

Press here for the full program.

The conference will run from 9am until 4:30pm. There will be simultaneous interpretation into Greek and English.

Entry to the conference is free and on a first come-first served basis. The conference will be broadcast live on https://diavlos.grnet.gr/event/e618

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