Museum Communications at a Crossroads: Empowering Our Communities in Times of Change and Crisis was the theme of MPR’s joint conference with ICOM Georgia, Tbilisi Museums Union, and Academia Europaea Tbilisi Regional Hub, which was hosted by the Georgian Museum of Fine Arts, 4 – 7 December 2024, in Tbilisi, Georgia. The meeting occurred during a pivotal and turbulent period for the region. The intersection of our conference themes with socio-political challenges unfolding in real time brought a sense of urgency and relevance to the sessions. Discussions gained profound resonance as they shined a light on the realities of crisis management, the fragility of cultural heritage amid societal upheaval, and the need for museums and cultural institutions to act as pillars of resilience during uncertain times.

Keynote speaker, Professor Dr. David Lordkipanadze, a world-famous anthropologist and General Director of the Georgian National Museum, discussed building brands on biocultural heritage at the nexus of culture, science, and exploration. Maria Vlachou, Director of Access Culture, Portugal, explored the paradoxes of democracy and responses to fascism and populism. Panel discussions provided diverse insights into six sub-themes, while excursions to house museums and UNESCO cultural heritage sites illuminated us about Georgia’s rich and complex history.

Thirty presenters from 25 countries spoke on the following sub-themes:

– When Digital Projects Foster Dialogue, Collaboration, and Community Engagement – Museum Initiatives in Conflict Zones
– Fostering Purpose
– Communicating Social Justice in the Culture Wars
– Building Community Resilience – Safe Spaces in Museums

MPR sponsored seven travel grantees from Iran, Mexico, Paraguay, and Ukraine. Ukrainian colleagues shared experiences and initiatives in a war zone, and all of the grantees gained knowledge from our conference, including a pop-up exhibition, presentation, and videos from Blue Shield Georgia about preserving the intangible heritage of internally displaced people in Georgia following the 2008 Russian invasion.