Future Museum: A Global Gathering at Swarovski Kristallwelten
Rand Suffok (Director of the High Museum of Art), Evelio Acevedo Carrero (General Director of the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza), Sofia Widmann (Founder of Future Museum and Managing Director of Museum Booster), Selma Toprak (Deputy Director for Visitors and Education at the Centre Pompidou), and Stefan Isser (Managing Director of Swarovski Kristallwelten) in front of Swarovski Kristallwelten in Wattens. Copyright: © Future Museum/Thomas Steinlechner
At the start of December 2024, Swarovski Kristallwelten in Wattens, Austria, became the hub of international discussions shaping the future of museums. Sixty leaders and experts from prominent cultural institutions worldwide came together to discuss the most pressing issues and opportunities facing the museum sector. This gathering was part of the Future Museum initiative, powered by MUSEUM BOOSTER.
Shaping the Future of Museums
The Future Museum initiative, led by Museum Booster, unites 48 leading museums and cultural institutions worldwide. Sofia Widmann, Founder & CEO of MUSEUM BOOSTER, emphasized:
"By prioritizing solutions to counter populism and genuinely engaging younger audiences, museums can mitigate the disconnection from future generations and respond effectively to societal shifts."
The symposium at Swarovski Kristallwelten highlighted these challenges while exploring practical innovations to redefine visitor experiences, enhance audience engagement, and promote cultural relevance.
Swarovski Kristallwelten: A Venue for Collaboration
Hosting this event reflected Swarovski Kristallwelten's commitment to being more than a cultural landmark. Stefan Isser, Managing Director of Swarovski Kristallwelten, remarked:
"We are proud to host such a distinguished gathering of experts. As a partner in the Future Museum project, we benefit from in-depth research and analyses of emerging trends in the museum sector. This collaboration enables us to develop strategic options and leverage cost-effective synergies."
The two-day event demonstrated how cultural institutions and private sector partners can work together to share knowledge and push the boundaries of innovation.
Insights from Global Leaders
Key figures from major cultural institutions shared their perspectives on the transformative role of museums. Evelio Acevedo Carrero, General Director of the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid, highlighted:
"Museums must be relevant to society and harness art's transformative power to foster a better world. Achieving this requires engaging local and global audiences through education, digital initiatives, and strong governance."
Selma Toprak, Deputy Director for Visitors and Education at the Centre Pompidou, Paris, echoed this sentiment:
"The Future Museum project allows us to exchange ideas with international peers and envision new, inclusive visitor experiences. By combining workshops, feedback analysis, and impact measurement, we can find innovative ways to connect with the public."
Innovation and the Path Ahead
Now in its third phase, the Future Museum project focuses on identifying key trends, fostering innovation, and building a cross-sector network to represent museum interests globally. The Swarovski Kristallwelten gathering underscored the importance of collaboration and shared learning to navigate the rapidly evolving museum landscape.
For Museum Booster, this event marks another milestone in our mission to empower cultural institutions through strategic research and innovation. By bridging international expertise and fostering dialogue, Future Museum paves the way for a vibrant, relevant, and future-ready museum sector.
60 representatives of the international museum world gathered at Swarovski Kristallwelten to discuss the most important topics and challenges facing today’s museum landscape. Copyright: © Future Museum/Thomas Steinlechner