ICOM Exhibitions has revealed the full programme for Momentum: Museums, Exhibitions, and Disruptions – How Far Dare We Go?, its 2026 annual conference, taking place from 4 to 8 October in Québec City, Canada.
Hosted by the Musée de la civilisation in collaboration with the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, the event will welcome around 150 museum professionals from across the world to explore the current and future challenges shaping exhibitions.
The programme combines keynote discussions, panels, workshops, lightning talks, cultural visits and the Travelling Exhibitions Marketplace, creating opportunities for participants to reflect on industry change while developing practical ideas and new international partnerships.
The conference opens on 4 October with a reception at the Monastère des Augustines, where participants can also experience its new permanent exhibition, Resonances. From Their Lives to Ours.
Global perspectives on disruption and change
The main programme begins on 5 October with a keynote discussion titled “Cultural diplomacy and the role of museums in an ever-changing geopolitical landscape”, featuring Sascha Priewe, director of collections and public programmes at the Aga Khan Museum and president of ICOM Canada, and Mikaël Mohamed, director of international relations at MUCEM.
It is moderated by Amanda Mayne, acting director of international engagement at the British Museum and co-chair of ICOM Exhibitions.
Later sessions will address some of the most urgent questions facing museums today.
On 6 October, Nasir Al Darmaki, vice-president of ICOM and ICOM UAE, and Golnaz Golsabahi, vice-president of ICOM and ICOM Iran, will discuss how museums can protect collections, remain connected to communities and contribute to resilience during conflict and disaster.
The following morning, Heather Georges of the Woodland Cultural Center, Dr Jilda Andrews of the National Museum of Australia and Richard Kistabish, president of Minwashin, will lead a keynote asking: Do Indigenous people need museums? The discussion will consider how institutions can support Indigenous priorities while rethinking conventional models of authority and representation.
From AI to emotion-driven museology
Digital innovation and audience engagement form another important strand of the programme.
A panel titled Digital Audacity in Museums will bring together Daniel Iregui, founder and creative director of Iregular, and Nicolas S. Roy, president and creative director of Dpt., to explore how immersive sound, AI and interactive media can support interpretation while keeping collections and curatorial intent at the centre.
Meanwhile, a plenary sponsored by TEO will be led by Elisabeth Ramm, Associate Partner at ATELIER BRÜCKNER, and will examine the topic Building the plane while flying it — Designing Through the Unexpected, discussing moments that tested established processes, challenged assumptions, and ultimately shaped the studio’s practice.
It will offer honest insights into resilience, adaptability, and the creative potential that emerges when carefully crafted plans meet reality.
Participants looking for more hands-on engagement can choose from a series of workshops, including The Courage to Mean Something, led by Barend Verheijen and Juliette Lindhout of Studio Louter, and Authenticity in Make Believe, featuring Anna Altschwager of TAIT, Brendan McGetrick of the Museum of the Future and Dr Mariruth Leftwich of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.
Other workshops will explore touring exhibitions, low-footprint immersive design and circular approaches to exhibition-making.
Networking, site visits and collaboration
The programme also makes extensive use of Québec City itself as a learning environment.
Participants will visit the Musée Huron-Wendat, with an optional evening experience at Onhwa’ Lumina, created by Moment Factory. At the Musée de la civilisation, delegates can select from seven thematic tours covering exhibitions, collaborative practice, digital initiatives, youth programming and behind-the-scenes operations.
An exclusive visit to the future NAT – Musée national de l’histoire du Québec will offer a look at the galleries while they are still under construction, and the closing programme includes privileged access to the new Espace Riopelle – Michael Audain Pavilion at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec ahead of its public opening.
Musee de la Civilisation where the conference will be hosted
For delegates seeking international exhibition partnerships, the Travelling Exhibitions Marketplace will be a major highlight. More than 28 organisations, including Nomad Exhibitions, Expona and Dala Projects, will be sponsoring. They will present available and upcoming touring exhibitions in three-minute pitches, creating a fast-paced opportunity to discover projects and begin new collaborations.
Alongside the formal programme, receptions, museum visits, lunches and evening events will give participants further opportunities to exchange ideas with peers from across the global museum community.
Momentum 2026 concludes on 7 October, followed by optional cultural visits on 8 October, including tours of Île d’Orléans and Québec City’s galleries and artist-run spaces.
