ICOM Exhibitions has opened registrations and a call for proposals for its 2026 annual conference, Momentum 2026, titled "Museums, Exhibitions, and Disruptions – How Far Dare We Go?" The event will take place from October 4 to 8 at the Musée de la civilisation in Québec City, Canada, and will gather around 150 museum professionals globally. The programme includes keynote presentations, workshops, visits to local cultural institutions such as the Monastère des Augustines and the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, and a behind-the-scenes look at a new pavilion dedicated to artist Jean Paul Riopelle. Proposals are due by May 22, with formats ranging from roundtables to lightning presentations.
This conference matters because it addresses critical challenges facing museums today, including social tensions, inclusion imperatives, and democratic fragility. By encouraging proposals on participatory practices, sustainability, DEI, and AI, ICOM Exhibitions positions itself as a key forum for shaping the future of museum exhibitions and audience engagement. The event also highlights significant cultural developments in Québec, such as the new Riopelle pavilion, reinforcing the region's role in contemporary museum innovation.