In the shadow of war: Cultural preparedness and the role of museums

Nordic Humanities Center holds free seminar on cultural preparedness in uncertain times
(Illustration: Videnskab.dk/Nana Elving Hansen)

In a time of new security policy threats, “cultural preparedness” is increasingly mentioned in the societal debate and as a task for cultural institutions. In our neighboring countries, the national preparedness plans include cultural institutions and the role of culture is mentioned as an asset in times of crisis.

The contribution of museums
But what exactly is “cultural preparedness”, and how can it be supported in Danish museums? The situation places new demands on both curation, dissemination and safeguarding of cultural heritage – are Danish museums equipped for this? And does this imply a new role for museums as a contribution to unity and resilience? How can museums fulfill these tasks in a constructive way – also to secure resources in a time of possible reprioritization and new agendas? And more specifically: Is more expected than the old value rescue plans in a geopolitically uncertain time, and how does it relate to different museum types and functions?

We invite you to a seminar focusing on museums in a new situation “in the shadow of war”. The target group is museum professionals and others with an interest in the role of museums in society today and the challenges that geopolitical changes bring.

The seminar is free, but requires registration - the link is at the bottom of the page.

Organizers: Malene Breunig, Rasmus Mariager, Kristian Handberg, Mette Sandbye, in collaboration with TID, Museum for Odense.

In the Nordic Humanities Center project: "The Shadow of War: Denmark, the Nordic Region and the Rebirth of Geopolitics", an interdisciplinary research group is working on what the war in Ukraine will mean for Nordic societies in the coming years. With insights from the humanities as well as art and culture, the affiliated researchers will investigate how we can better live with the challenges of the new era in the confrontation with Russia.

Program:

9.30-10.00: Arrival and coffee.

10.00-10.15: Welcome and introduction by the organizers

10.15-10.45: Talk about Blue Shield and securing cultural heritage

• Søren la Cour Jensen (museum curator, Frederik's Industrial Museum)

10.45-12.00: Session 1: Emergency plans

• Dorte Gramtorp (collection manager, TID – Museum for Odense) 
• Hanne Kjærskov Nielsen (guardian, The Royal Collection, Rosenborg Castle)
• Christina Papsø Weber (unit head for museums and public education, Palaces and the Danish Agency for Culture)

12.00-13.00: Lunch

13.00-14.15: Session 2: Democratic education

• Tine Smedegaard Andersen (deputy director, National Museum)
• Astrid la Cour (director, SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst)
• Sebastian Gyrst-Longsig Christensen (museum manager, Museerne Helsingør)

14.15-14.40: Coffee break

14.40-15.55: Session 3: Do museums see themselves as actors that create unity in a time of geopolitical crisis?

• Jakob Seerup (Museum Director, Bornholm Museum)

More participants under this point, which have not yet been confirmed - more information will follow later.

15.55-16.00: Wrap-up