Roberto Devela

This year’s CIMAM Annual Conference in Stockholm, Sweden, with its overarching theme The Museum in Transition, signaled the shifting perspectives in the international museum community in dealing with how modern and contemporary art museums are called to respond to publics in the time of rapidly advancing technologies, and in the midst of ethical issues and challenges that cultural institutions face today.

The topics of the conference were broad enough to be relevant to all participants attending the conference, yet also specific in subject matter, encouraging an expansion of perspectives among individuals. Some discussions, though not necessarily reflecting what one may find in their home countries or museums, are valuable in offering alternate ways of thinking about the different aspects of curatorial work. Its participants the chance to participate in the different conversations that emerged, specifically during the panel discussions as well as during the workshops about CIMAM’s Museum Watch program and museum ethics regarding private sponsorship.

Having three host institutions (Moderna Museet, Bonniers Konsthall and Magasin lll Museum & Foundation for Contemporary Art) also provided participants much-appreciated insight into the variety of museum programming available in the host country. The transferring between venues also gave participants, especially those who can only stay in the country for the duration of the conference, a chance to see the different facets of the city. Site visits to venues other than the host museums enhanced the conference experience, and also showed the strong support network between Stockholm’s cultural institutions, something that I believe CIMAM should also aspire to represent as an organization.

My participation in this year’s CIMAM Annual Conference has greatly benefitted my career as a museum professional working in the Philippines. I was able to establish new connections with fellow practitioners through the diverse lineup of activities arranged for the program, connections which would hopefully bear partnerships and collaborations with the museum I represent, the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, in the near future. This opportunity to explore alternative perspectives would not have been possible without the support of the Getty Foundation through the CIMAM Travel Grant Program, and I am truly thankful for the experience to take part in the various discussions that concern the museum community.