Synopsis and Concept
The theme for National Heritage Board's (NHB) IMD Symposium 2025, The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities, recognises the important role museums play as social spaces that serve and engage diverse communities to adapt to changing audience profiles. The theme also focuses on how museums tap on their resources and rich heritage to foster growth and innovation in rapidly changing environments.
The programme for IMD Singapore Symposium 2025 is as appended below:
Symposium Programme and Speakers List
| Singapore Time (GMT+08) |
Programme |
| 0930 - 1000 |
Registration and Coffee / Tea Break |
| 1000 - 1005 |
Welcome and Introduction |
| 1005 - 1010 |
Welcome Address by:
Chang Hwee Nee
Chief Executive Officer of National Heritage Board, Chair of ICOM Singapore and Chair of the Museum Roundtable
|
| 1010 - 1015 |
Opening Remarks by:
Museum Volunteer
|
| 1015 - 1045 |
Morning Break |
| 1045 - 1215 |
Panel 1: Communities for Positive Aging
The World Health Organisation predicts that by 2050, global average life expectancy will increase significantly and persons above 60 years old will make up approximately one quarter of the world's population. In Singapore, one in four Singaporeans are already aged 65 and above, and this statistic is expected to grow with rising life expectancy and decrease in the fertility rate. Therefore, museums need to design infrastructure and programmes to better engage with this demographic shift and its corresponding social shifts.This may include research as to how museum programming could contribute to healthy aging, and how museums professionals could adopt a more holistic approach to promote dialogue across different age demographics.
This panel will bring together case studies from Australia, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom.
|
| 1215 - 1325 |
Lunch Break |
| 1325 - 1330 |
Introduction to Afternoon programme and Ice Breakers |
| 1330 - 1500 |
Panel 2: Community Museums
Community museums serve specific identity groups, neighbourhoods, or locales, and they tell stories that are not typically featured in mainstream museums. The artefacts and collections of these museums are contributed by the community, and these exhibitions feature traditions, crafts, practices, and oral histories of a specific group of people or geography. In recent years, community museums also serve larger social causes such as raising awareness for minority voices, and by helping communities preserve their dying traditions and intangible cultural heritage.
This panel will bring together case studies of how museums from the United States of America, South Korea, and India, collect, exhibit, and engage with their communities.
|
| 1500 - 1530 |
Afternoon Break |
| 1530 - 1700 |
Panel 3: Heritage Innovation
To better engage visitors, museums offer memorable experiences through exciting programmes, interactive panels, immersive experiences, innovative museum merchandise and branding. To address the expectations of visitors, museums have also built successful corporate partnerships with established brands to tap on their existing networks, providing entertainment and merchandising options, to stay relevant and relatable to a wider audience.
This panel brings together case studies of how heritage and museums can enhance visitors' experiences in emerging and future economies from South Korea, the Netherlands, and China.
|
| 1700 - 1715 |
Closing Remarks and Photo Taking |
About IMD Singapore Symposium
IMD Singapore Symposium is a signature event organised by ICOM Singapore in collaboration with NHB and the Museum Roundtable to encourage thought leadership and the sharing of international best practices amongst museum professionals.
About ICOM Singapore
The ICOM Singapore National Committee represents all ICOM members in Singapore. Presently chaired by Ms Chang Hwee Nee, Chief Executive Officer of NHB, ICOM Singapore is supported by a secretariat at NHB and works closely with the Museum Roundtable.
About the Museum Roundtable
The Museum Roundtable is a collective established by NHB in 1996 to promote a museum-going culture amongst Singaporeans and to position museums as unique cultural destinations. The members comprise over 60 public and private museums and heritage galleries covering the subjects of national history, culture and community, art, defence, lifestyle and collectibles, healthcare, science and innovation. Together, members collaborate on exhibitions, festivals and programmes, share best practices, and focus on building and raising the capabilities of its members.