Live streaming

In a world constantly stirred by social, political and economic challenges, cultural entities are called upon to think deeper into their role and impact in society. A genuine need to become active players in the community and appeal to a wider public leads cultural organizations to address matters like diversity, inclusiveness, innovation, creativity and participation.

Several questions arise: Are museums about objects or about people? Are performing centers about theater and dance, or are they about civic engagement? What are the elements that create wholesome experiences for people? As economic sustainability becomes an issue, how can museums re-engage with their communities and tackle changing demographics? Do cultural organizations have a role in bringing people together? Who owns museums?

The 5th Museum Day-Conference, co-organized by the Benaki Museum, the U.S. Embassy in Athens and the British Council, will examine such matters. Prominent speakers from Greece, the U.S. and the U.K. will share ideas and insights on how museums, cultural entities and initiatives can function as change agents in society.

Karen Wong, Deputy Director of the New Museum, will share with us the concept of the Ideas City festival, a collaborative, civic and creative enterprise that expands the museum beyond its walls into the civic realm.
Anita Contini, Art Program, Bloomberg Philanthropies, will present ways of audience engagement in a digital world.
Esme Ward, Head of Engagement at the Whitworth and Manchester Museum – awarded the Museum of the Year prize for 2015 by Artfund – will talk about taking creative risks and initiatives in order to make the community part of the artistic and creative mission of the museum.

SPEAKERS' BIOGRAPHIES

Representatives from Greek museums, cultural institutions and cultural initiatives will also contribute to the discussion.

Maria-Thalia Carras, co-founder of Locus Athens
Fotis Flevotomos, Artist-Musician, Special Collaborator of the Benaki Museum
Panos Papoulias, Assistant Director of Programs & Strategic Initiatives, Stavros Niarchos Foundation
Elia Vlachou, Archeologist-Museologist, Head of the Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation
Amalia Zepou, Vice Mayor for Civil Society and Municipality Decentralisation, Municipality of Athens, Greece

Adam Szymczyk, Artistic Director, documenta 14 and
Paul B. Preciado, Curator of Public Programs, documenta 14 will make the closing remarks.

Immediately after, a music event will take place at the café, in dialogue with the exhibition Wor(th)ship. Tassos Vrettos.

There will be simultaneous interpretation into Greek and English.

Pre-registrations are closed, but there will be a limited number of seats available for on-site registrations on a first come-first served basis.

The conference will live stream at the Benaki café during that day and online, thanks to GRNet S.A.

The full conference will be filmed by the Bodossakis Foundation and broadcasted in www.blod.gr

PROGRAM