The CoMuseum International Conference
2–3 December 2026, Benaki Museum/Pireos 138, Athens & Online
4 December 2026 , Thessaloniki Concert Hall
How can museums help society navigate uncertainty, imagine alternatives, and shape more inclusive futures?
CoMuseum Futures explores the role of museums and cultural institutions in engaging with the future through culture. At a time when conversations about the future are increasingly driven by technology and crisis, the conference proposes a different perspective—one that places culture at the centre of how we understand change, create knowledge, and imagine what comes next. Moving beyond the question of the future of museums, CoMuseum Futures asks how museums themselves can become infrastructures for futures literacy: trusted public spaces where ideas can be tested, diverse voices can meet, and societies can think together about the future.
Over three days, the conference will bring together museum professionals, artists, researchers, educators, policymakers, community leaders, and future thinkers from around the world. Through keynote lectures, conversations, workshops, masterclasses, and networking opportunities, participants will explore four strategic themes: Values-based Leadership and Innovation; Social Impact, Trust and Justice; Climate Emergency and Sustainability; and Knowledge Making, Content and Engagement.
Partnerships & support:
The Conference is organised by the Benaki Museum and the British Council.
The CoMuseum is also the flagship program of the British Council’s Museums Revisited programme in Europe.
THE CONFERENCE: MEET CULTURAL PROFESSIONALS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
Invited speakers are innovators, daring changemakers and strong advocates of the power that culture has on people’s lives. They are determined to multiply this power by sharing their most valuable expertise and experience.
OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY
THE WORKSHOPS: THINK AND DO; TOGETHER
Participants work together to find solutions on common challenges in the field of cultural production. As a core part of the conference, the workshops use new models of learning together at the intersection of culture, activism, education, creativity, entrepreneurship, solidarity, urbanism and social innovation.
The Satellite Program is a series of additional visits and conversations that takes place on the second day of the CoMuseum conference, and enables further networking, creates more opportunities and connects international guests with the local arts and culture community in Athens.
DELEGATION PROGRAMME
CONFERENCE VENUES
BENAKI MUSEUM
The Benaki Museum / Pireos 138 is a hub of visual and performing arts with 3,000m2 of exhibition space and a 400-seat lecture and concert theatre housed at a refurbished industrial building.
CONFERENCE VENUES
THESSALONIKI CONCERT HALL / M2
The Thessaloniki Concert Hall – M2 (building 2), built along the coast of the city, providing a contemporary cultural and conference center of international standards, designed by the renowned architect Arata Isozaki.
