Speaker: Prof. Yannick Lintz, President Musee Guimet, Paris.

Exhibition and display work is considered the foundation of curatorial communication; the place where the idea, theme or story is given intention through the assembly of art objects. There are certain things- that no matter what the budget, time or capacity is- must be ascertained before embarking on an exhibition project.

Speakers:  Dr Pheroza Godrej, Director, Cymroza Art Gallery, Mumbai and Ms Rakhi Sarkar, Director, Centre of International Modern Art.  Moderator: Dr Saryu Doshi, Art Historian and Author

The recent narrative on museums as catalysts of innovation and growth considers their relations with other cultural and creative industries to be very important. The broad concept of human creativity has been recognized in its very concrete shape of museum’s involvement with, and being part of, the creative industries generally, which fundamentally shape our everyday lives.

Speakers: Mr Stephen Inglis, Director General of Research and Collections at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, Hala Warde, Lebanese/French Architect and Michael Peter Edson, Director, Museum of Solutions, Mumbai  Moderator : Dr Alka Pande, Chief Curator & Artistic Producer, Bihar Museum Biennale

Creating a place for looking backwards, for preserving the history of human activity requires an understanding of the subject and context of the matter. Some of the earliest remnants of the human impulse to remember can be found in caves, amid the rock carvings. The temples, residential abodes and libraries of earlier civilizations were the earliest forms of proto-museums. With changing times, the perceptions of museums change.

Speakers: Dr. Lars-Christian Koch, Director of the Staatliche Museen Zu Berlin, Germany. Prof. Amareswar Galla PhD, UNESCO Chair on Inclusive Museums & Sustainable Heritage Development, Anant National University, Ahmedabad Moderator : Dr Alka Pande, Chief Curator & Artistic Producer, Bihar Museum Biennale

All moveable cultural property, like the knowledge, practices, all kinds of literary and artistic creations such as music, dance, song, ceremonies, symbols and designs, narratives and poetry and all forms of documentation of and by indigenous people that are meaningful and connected to the identity of a group of people.

Over the last decade, museums have evolved from scholarly art repositories to vibrant community voices. They now foster diverse expression, engagement, and idea exchange. Technology, engagement, and sustainability are now inseparable from museum discourse, shaping operations, outreach, curation, and their models. This symposium explores these changes and engages with pioneers driving this evolution

At the nexus of identity, outreach, and fiscal vitality lies museum branding and merchandising. Moderating this discussion is designer Anthony Lopez, who has led Bihar Museum’s award-winning branding and identity development. This panel delves into the influence that these micro-ecosystems extend beyond a museum’s physical confines.

Amrita and Maureen are the force behind one of India’s most successful museum shops at the Mehrangarh Fort Museum, Jodhpur, which has been running for 27 years. They have developed unique concepts for museum shops across India.

Mr. Szabó has strategized the Museum’s PR for blockbuster exhibitions and set into motion the various components that draw thousands of repeat visitors to the Beaux Arts.

With 101 years of rich history, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, (CSMVS), Mumbai, remains a leading museum in the country. Its enduring relevance is a result of leveraging past learnings for future strategies. This session is juxtaposed with the upcoming Museum of Innovation, Start-up, and Technology, representing Bengaluru’s spirit of creativity and entrepreneurship.

The University of Edinburgh has conferred upon him the degree of Doctor ‘honoris causa’ for transformation of CSMVS to a vibrant, engaged, cultural catalyst in Mumbai.

UnboxingBLR is the promoter of the Museum of Innovation, Start-up and Technology, Bengaluru.

Founding Partner, Accel India and chairman, UnboxingBLR Foundation

In just 9 months of accessible ChatGPT and AI, our world has undergone exponential transformation, extending to various sectors including institutions. Museums too are embracing this evolution. Cultural establishments are now recognizing the opportunities and complexities presented by these tools. This panel convenes experts from applied intelligence, museum engagement, and those working at the intersection of art, AI, and technology.

Managing Director and Lead Applied Intelligence.

A designer and filmmaker, Upasana’s Studio explores tools from a wide spectrum– from animation, classical dance, film, AI and AR to bring pluralistic voices and multicultural perspectives into projects.

An architect, researcher and design-educator, Kamya is Founder-Director of BeFantastic, that convenes the creative and technology communities and has just manifested Bangalore’s TechArt Festival series, FutureFantastic, as its Festival Director & Co-Curator.

The final panel of this symposium provides a stage for trailblazers who are reshaping the museum model in both physical and virtual realms. Moderating this panel is museum planner Batul Raaj Mehta, who led the master planning for the Bihar Museum 13 years ago and who continues her association with the museum as the Chief of Strategy for the Bihar Museum Biennale – 2023.

A historian of science, Dr. Phalkey has reinvented the Science Gallery model for Bengaluru as an interface of the natural, human, and social sciences, and the arts through ever-changing exhibitions, mentorship programmes and a Public Lab Complex.

As an architect, interior designer, and virtual world builder, Zameer envisions the influence and challenges of our era on future institutions, architectural heritage, and infrastructure. In this session, he applies his creative lens to reimagine museums.