Phase IV:
Reinvention, Resilience & Relevance
Museums must prove their relevance, secure financial sustainability, create resonant offerings, and assert their role as engines for societal change
Museums on the Frontline
Phase IV focuses on how museums can strengthen their long-term resilience by addressing sustainability, wellbeing, and new revenue models in an integrated way. The programme brings together museum leaders, researchers, and cross-sector partners to jointly explore emerging trends, test new approaches, and translate foresight into practical strategies.
At the core of Phase IV lies a combination of co-creation, future foresight, and trend analysis. Through collaborative research sprints, peer exchange, and expert input, participating institutions develop shared understanding as well as concrete frameworks, tools, and scenarios to inform strategic decision-making.
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Continents
Countries
Institutions
Key topics
The three core themes guide our collaborative learning and research throughout Phase IV
O1
Sustainability
Exploring how museums can contribute meaningfully to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Research addresses climate responsibility, resource management, organisational resilience, and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on translating values into measurable action.
O2
Wellbeing
Understanding the growing role of museums as spaces that support individual and collective wellbeing. This theme examines how museums can foster mental health, social cohesion, and physical wellbeing for audiences, and how wellbeing can become a strategic, ethical, and operational priority.
O3
Revenue & technology
Investigating how museums can build more resilient economic models through technology and cross-sector collaboration. Topics include artificial intelligence, digital efficiency, licensing, partnerships beyond the cultural sector, and new approaches to value creation that balance financial sustainability with public mission.
Research Timeline
The research phase runs from February 2026 till January 2028 and is structed into three sequential sprints.
Sprint I — Sustainability
February 2026 - September 2026
Museums as engines of sustainable and responsible change
This sprint focuses on why museums must exist in the future — and what they must stand for in a world. Sustainability is approached holistically, encompassing environmental responsibility, social accountability, and governance, including financial resilience and long-term economic models.
Physical Meeting
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
Online meetings
Knowledge exchange sessions
Future scenario clubs
Sprint II — Wellbeing
October 2026 - May 2027
Museums as essential infrastructures for human resilience
This sprint moves beyond general audience engagement to examine how museums can develop purposeful programs that respond to real societal needs, including burnout, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. Particular attention is given to the relevance of museum programs for employers, public institutions, and health-related partners.
Physical Meeting
Musea Brugge and Musée des Confluences
Online meetings
Knowledge exchange sessions
Future scenario clubs
Sprint III — Revenue & Technology
May 2027 - January 2028
Museums as financially agile and intelligent organisations
This sprint examines how museums can develop resilient income models, use technology responsibly, and strengthen operational intelligence without compromising trust or values. We explore revenue diversification, licensing, and cooperation with other sectors to strengthen financial resilience.
Physical Meeting
Belvedere
Online meetings
Knowledge exchange sessions
Future scenario clubs
