Regenerative Curating: Expert Meeting

How can museums contribute to a sustainable future through their collections and exhibitions? This workshop-based expert meeting brings together an international group of curators, archivists, artists and academics to discuss regenerative museum practices.

The term ‘regeneration’ is the starting point for a discussion about how museums can actively contribute to processes of renewal, restoration and reconciliation. How can we collect with and for nature? How can we protect living materials and embrace natural rhythms, such as growth and decay? Together we will explore alternative approaches that can help restore balance to our world.

Taking part in the discussion are: Klaas Kuitenbrouwer (senior researcher at the Nieuwe Instituut and director of the Zoönomic Institute); Caitlin DeSilvey (author of the book Curated Decay, University of Exeter); Oliver Klimpel (head of the Curatorische Werkstatt, Bauhaus Dessau Foundation), and Karin de Wild (assistant professor of contemporary museum and collection studies, Leiden University).

Please note that places for this meeting are limited.

Programme

• 14:00 Welcome speech by Karin de Wild
• 14:10 Zoöp: an introduction by Klaas Kuitenbrouwer
• 14:30 Workshop 1: Positioning
• 15:15 Presentations
• 16:15 Break
• 16:30 Workshop 2: From Reflection to Action
• 17:00 Workshop 3: Towards a Network
• 17:30 Drinks

Attendees of the Expert Meeting are warmly invited to join us for the public evening programme: Research Night: Re-wriggling the Museum running between 19:30 and 21:00. This consists of a conversation between Oliver Klimpel and Caitlin deSilvey.

Both the Expert Meeting and Research Night are financially supported by the Stimuleringsfonds and the Museums, Collections & Society research programme at Leiden University, which promotes collaboration between academia and the museum sector.

Since 2022, the Nieuwe Instituut has operated as a Zoöp: an organisational model that incorporates non-human voices and interests into decision-making and working methods. As a Zoöp, Nieuwe Instituut strives to contribute to a livable world in which people maintain an equal relationship with other life forms through interventions on all scales.

Combine this event with a visit to our exhibitions — admission to the museum is free on Thursday evenings. Fancy a bite to eat? Join us in the Nieuwe Café!

Host or Publisher Nieuwe Instituut