Conference thematic:

Throughout history, museums have been considered places for education, collection, preservation, and research. In a time of crisis, museums become essential more than ever in their role as the safeguards of cultural heritage, as well as a beacon of light to knowledge and information seekers, or for people who look for intelligent entertainment.

Museums are responsible to local communities. They become key players in preserving and shaping cultural landscapes of their region. Regional museums promote and preserve knowledge, communication, and education, and they are responsible not only for their collections but also for the cultural heritage around them, outside their walls.

In light of the global COVID-19 epidemic currently affecting humanity, ICOM ICR in collaboration with ICOM Georgia has been decided to dedicate the annual ICR conference to the subject “How regional museums deal with crises”, accordingly to organize conference online at ZOOM programme.

You are invited to send proposals for lectures dealing with past and present challenges with various types of crises (earthquakes, fires, flooding, hurricanes, terrorism or war destruction, economic or social crisis, etc.) in museums.

This is the time to share your experience with the museum community. You can write from your personal perspective or develop related topics, such as:

• How can regional museums respond to a crisis?
• How can we use digital platforms and knowledge in a time of crisis?
• How can smaller museums address this matter?
• How can regional museums support their staff and communities during the crisis?
• How can regional museums connect during the crisis?
• What have we learned from the previous and current crises – economical, political, natural,

  sociological?

• How do regional museums plan for the day after the crisis?
• What regional museums can do in rebuilding the economy and society after the crisis?
• New activities or methods your museum developed to overcome new obstacles.

  Following the ICR tradition of exposing regional museums, we also welcome presentations of virtual tours.

Abstract submission details:

• Abstracts should be given in English
• Up to 250 words
• Up to 5 keywords

  Abstracts should also include the following:

• Title
• Name and institution of the author
• ICOM number (if applicable)
• E-mail address
• Biography – up to 75 words

  Please indicate in the abstract if you have any special technical requirements. Deadline for submission of abstracts: 31 August 2020
  To be sent to: icr.icom.2020@gmail.com and icomgeo@gmail.com

  Announcement of approved proposals: 15 September 2020 Full text submission: 15 October 2020

  Time for presentations online:

1. Keynote speakers: 20 minutes
2. Lectures: 10 minutes followed by 5 minutes time for questions
3. Virtual tours: 15 minutes

Organizing committee will record the sessions and make them available after the meeting. In case of questions or more info please reach us at: icomgeo@gmail.com