“The title of this article is the first line of the introduction to my New Directions for University Museums, an edited volume just published by Rowman and Littlefield. And it’s true. Wherever you look, university museums are pioneering new ways to interpret collections, to use objects as teaching tools or to deliver innovative programs to engage the communities in which they are located. In former times, many were small, niche organizations, unknown to but a few: today they are more relevant than ever.”

By Brad King, Vice President, Lord Cultural Resources

“A new exhibit at the Remai Modern is celebrating the art gallery’s growth. The exhibit, Views from the Blue House, is named after one of the first paintings acquired by the Saskatoon Art Centre — that then became the Mendel Art Gallery, and eventually the Remai Modern.”

In 2020, Lord Cultural Resources was selected to conduct the Museum’s first strategic plan to provide stability to the institution with a new vision and series of strategic goals developed in collaboration with Museum leadership and the Board. In 2021, we were re-engaged to develop a business plan and projections intended to increase attendance and earned income levels in two admission charge scenarios.

“Rock musician and activist Tom Morello will be on hand at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) on Feb. 2 to launch a new exhibition called ‘Beyond the Beat: Music of Resistance and Change’.

CMHR says the interactive exhibition invites visitors, ‘inside ground-breaking moments where music played a pivotal role in social transformation and political change.’”

Lord Cultural Resources developed the Concept and the three-volume Master Plan, managed the International Architectural Competition, provided the Functional Program and advised on the architectural design process as well as providing an update to the Business Plan and Space List. We have continued to provide advisory services to Board and senior management on all aspects of implementation, content development, recruitment services, and the inauguration.

“Farmington leaders are in the process of putting together the finishing touches on a long-awaited update to the long-term strategic plan for the Farmington Museum at Gateway Park.”

Lord was contracted to develop a strategic plan for the Farmington Museum, a five-site municipal museum system in northwestern New Mexico, in 2019. The work was interrupted with the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, but restarted in the summer of 2022 and completed later that year. At this time we look forward to further assisting the Farmington Museum as it continues to refine and implement the plan.

“‘A lot of times people don’t even know that there was an African American who was part of the founding of Rockford,’ said David Ruffin, director and curator of the African American gallery at the Ethnic Heritage Museum. ‘I think it also gives a little bit of civic pride to know where we came from and where we are now.’”

“We are thrilled by this news, which is an example in practice of the value of our processes as well as our final products. This importance of this statue surfaced as a result of our public engagement as part of the Rockford Region Cultural Plan process. We are honored to be working with such a responsive community, and to help catalyze the celebration of their rich cultural history.” – Eve Moros Ortega, Director, Lord Cultural Resources

“The new museum will be located at the junction of the museum corridor and the entertainment district, on 20,000 square feet of land. The building will have an area of 45,000 square feet, since there will be more than one floor. It will have larger permanent and temporary exhibition spaces, a youth area, a room dedicated to interactive hologram testimonies, state-of-the-art classrooms, a 150-seat auditorium, a memorial space and a memorial garden.”

Lord Cultural Resources was commissioned by the Museum to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of an expanded facility and a relocation to a more central site in downtown Montreal with sufficient space and built according to museum standards.

“Some companies have laid off DEI staffers and leaders of diverse employee resource groups, downsized learning and development programs, and cut budgets for external DEI groups by as much as 90% in 2023. The cuts come as the tech industry doubles down on artificial intelligence. With fewer diverse voices represented in AI development, the resulting products could be less accurate or more harmful to users.”

“The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Culture and the Toronto-headquartered Aga Khan Museum have announced a formal collaboration emanating from the Al Burda Grant Programme, to advance their shared and individual missions, priorities and strategic objectives.”

“The Field Museum in Chicago has covered up several displays featuring Native American cultural items as new federal regulations go into effect. The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act was established in 1990 to facilitate the protection and return of Native remains and cultural objects. New rules requiring museums to obtain consent from tribes before displaying these objects went into effect on Friday.”

“The world’s largest chain of private museums started 2024 with more than 45 venues across 25 countries following a year of exponential growth. The company is mostly focusing on expanding in the US. In 2023, it opened four corporate locations in the US – in Minneapolis, Atlanta, Denver and its flagship museum on the Las Vegas Strip.”

“Space shuttle Endeavour’s giant orange fuel tank that propelled astronauts into space on more than two dozen missions was lifted by crane on its final journey and lowered back to Earth early Saturday at its final resting place at the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.”

“London’s Natural History Museum is bringing back a free programme of events created to explore the planetary emergency and inspire positive environmental change. Available from 7-10 February, Generation Hope: Act for the Planet will bring together young climate advocates, leading educators and museum scientists.”

“Some of the top technology trends to watch this year include robots, artificial intelligence (AI) and immersive technologies. And when it comes to ethical trends, the attractions industry – like last year – is focusing on eco-friendly experiences, repatriation, accessibility and animal welfare.”

“Explore the future of wellness architecture through trends and case studies – from a Finnish sauna restaurant to UK cabins and a calming Canadian vet clinic.”

"What happens in the year ahead will say a lot about the future of the city’s past, as the clock is ticking on almost 4,000 buildings in Toronto that are set to lose their heritage status at the end of 2024.”

“The World Monuments Fund (WMF), an independent nonprofit dedicated to preserving cultural heritage, has announced the lineup for its 2024 projects. This year’s efforts include responses to last year’s devastating earthquakes in Turkey and repairing damage in Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing war.”

“Once again, plans to modernize the centuries-old Notre-Dame Cathedral have spurred outrage throughout France. More than 125,000 people have signed a petition decrying a proposal to replace the chapel windows designed by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc in 1859 with stained glass artworks.”

“From institutional shows to major biennials, the Asia-Pacific is a vast region that has abundant offerings in 2024 that promise to catch the eye of art and culture lovers around the world. Here are five exhibitions in the Asia-Pacific not to be missed in the new year.”

“Immersive wellness, unique F&B and enhanced historical experiences are some of this year’s biggest trends.”

“’When you walk into a museum, you’re looking at the piece of art on the wall or the dress on the mannequin,’ Rajni Jacques, Snap’s global head of fashion and beauty, told me in a walk-through. ‘But with augmented reality, you’re engaging with it, which remixes the storytelling and experience of going to a museum.’”

“Museums in China are experiencing huge increases in visitor numbers. However, this rising demand has led to challenges such as overcrowding and the emergence of ticket scalping. A recent report from China Daily sets out how Chinese museums are turning to technology to innovate their offering and enhance the overall visitor experience.”

“The hack affected institutions including the Rubin Museum and Crystal Bridges Museum.”

“Lists containing the names of more than 16,000 artists allegedly used to train the Midjourney generative artificial intelligence (AI) programme have gone viral online, reinvigorating debates on copyright and consent in AI image creation. Among the names are Frida Kahlo, Walt Disney and Yayoi Kusama.”

“The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid has been allowed to keep a painting by Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro, which was looted by the Nazis during World War II, after an appeals court in the United States found that Spanish law should apply over California law.”

“Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni has promised to supply the British Museum with rotating exhibitions of Hellenic treasures in exchange for the return of the Parthenon Marbles. The remarks from Mendoni come as the British Museum has signaled increased openness to coming to a compromise to resolve the issue of the artifacts in a way that equally benefits both countries.”