TheMuseumsLab is a collaborative project designed to offer museum professionals a platform for continuous joint learning, unlearning, networking, career development and perspective exchange on the future of museums in both Africa and Europe. Its primary objective is to facilitate connections that bridge individuals, institutions, and nations across two continents, fostering engaged discussions on how museums can confront their colonial past, meet the present societal, global challenges and work together to actively shape a more equitable future.

TheMuseumsLab topics have encompassed critical areas such as digitisation, provenance research, decolonisation, and the presence of objects from colonial contexts in European museums. The programme aims at approaching topics in an open, diverse and interdisciplinary way.

In 2025, the overarching theme of the programme is Colonialism and Resistance. During the programme historical places will be visited that are relevant to the topic in Germany and Ethiopia. You will look at ways of implementing spaces of resistance in exhibition practices as well as exploring approaches on how to deal with the legacy of colonialism in museums today.

Moreover, TheMuseumsLab wants to spark a joint reflection on a new ethical framework for international cooperation. TheMuseumsLab is committed to establishing and consolidating a sustainable community of professionals worldwide connected to the museums landscapes from both Africa and Europe.

TheMuseumsLab‘s mission encompasses the qualification of individual museum future and leadership roles and the facilitation of intercontinental knowledge exchange, joint learning and unlearning. TheMuseumsLab aims to foster a joint understanding and facilitate the development of new strategies, particularly in the decolonisation of European museums and postcolonial international museum cooperation.

Programme Timeline 2025

Kick-Off Events (Online, Introduction and Evening Event) 8 May

Module 1 (Online) 13 to 15 May & 21 to 22 May

Module 2 (Onsite in Berlin)
Arrivals: 15 June
Programme: 16 to 21 June
Departures: 22 June

Residencies at European Partner Museums (Onsite, Europe)
Arrivals: 22 June
Programme: 23 to 27 June
Departures: 28 June
-> for Fellows assigned to a European Partner Museum

Residencies at African Partner Museums (Onsite, Africa)
Arrivals: 14 September
Programme: 15 to 19 September
Departures: 20 September
-> for Fellows assigned to an African Partner Museum

Module 3 (Onsite in Addis Ababa)
Arrivals: 21 September
Programme: 22 to 27 September
Departures: 28 September

Closing Event (Online) 26 November

What will be offered

• Three Modules (online and onsite) with multidisciplinary perspectives on current museum
  and heritage discourses, focussing on Colonialism and Resistance.
• Innovative formats of learning and workshops for practical skills
• Residency in a tandem (one Fellow from Africa, one Fellow from Europe) at a renowned African or European Partner Museum
• Networking opportunities amongst Fellows and with international experts
• Certificate, issued by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Museum für Naturkunde
  Berlin – Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science and the Partner Institution in Africa
• Access to TheMuseumsLab Alumni Network
• Partial cost coverage for the onsite Modules in Berlin (Module 2), Addis Ababa (Module 3) and the Residency at an African or European Partner Museum according to DAAD regulations and German Travel Expenses Act.
  Please read carefully what is comprised in the cost coverage and contact us if you have further questions before submitting your application.
• International and national transport to arrive to and depart from programme locations (lowest possible economy class airfare and 2nd class train tickets)
  Please note: transport between the place of residence and departure/arrival airport (home address/town  local airport) and travels for visa processes are not included in the cost coverage
• Ticket for local public transport if applicable during Module 2, Module 3 and the Residencies
• Airport transfers (Module 3 in Addis Ababa, Residencies in Africa if applicable)
• Reimbursement up to 40 EUR for Health Insurance (for onsite Modules and Residencies
  obligatory)
• Visa fees (for visa processes at official entities)
• Mandatory vaccinations (for entry to countries with programme locations)
• Accommodation during the onsite Modules and Residency locations (from official programme
  arrival date to official programme departure date)
  Please note: All programme related travels and accommodations will be arranged and booked by the DAAD and its supporting service provider
• Programme relevant entrance fees.
• Daily allowance during the onsite Modules and Residencies
  (limited compensation for meals not provided in the programme)
  Please note: the above-mentioned regulations state fixed amounts for daily allowances for each country/city. The allowances are newly calculated each year. The respective amounts have to be reduced according to the meals being provided in the programme.

Please note that we do not cover any other costs.

What will be expected

• Professional competencies and experiences
  Practical experience of at least 2 years in a museum, heritage site or art space, relating to themes such as Archaeology, Architecture, Art, Cultural History, Natural Sciences, Technology and to the overarching theme Colonialism and Resistance.
• Commitment to the programme
  High motivation to actively engage in participation formats is essential.
  A prerequisite for the selection of a candidate is the binding commitment to participate in all activities of TheMuseumsLab. The quality of the programme depends on Fellows‘ participation in all events and intense exchange, both among themselves and with the speakers and lecturers.
  In case of selection, employer must provide letter of consent and approved leave for training purpose which the candidate must submit.
• Personal Skills
  • Collaborative skills
  • Respectful communication
  • Creativity & Innovativeness
  • Self-responsibility
  • Ability to autonomously adapt to unfamiliar surroundings
  • Resilience
  • Ability to constructively question established structures
  • Ability to self-reflect
  • Aspiration to hold a leading position within a museum, heritage site or art space and to act as a
  catalyst
• Mandatory participation in evaluation formats
  TheMuseumsLab understands itself as a continuously learning programme. The Fellows‘ contributions are crucial to that process of constant evolution of the programme. Therefore, all Fellows commit to actively participate in comprehensive evaluation formats throughout the programme and its conclusion.
• Language skills
  Adequate language proficiency in English (written and spoken) is essential in order to participate actively in the programme.

Please note: for more information on the past TheMuseumsLab editions kindly visit:
TheMuseumsLab

Application Procedure

• The application must include the following documents:
  • The completed TheMuseumsLab application form
  • A short CV (in English, max 2 pages)
  • A letter of recommendation
  Please note: Completeness of the application will affect the applicant‘s eligibility as a participant.
• The documents’ name should contain your name, country of residence and the type of document
  (e.g., Lastname_firstname_Germany_CV)
  Please make sure you have read all application documents carefully before submitting your application.
• Please submit your application via the DAAD portal the latest by 25 November 2024.

Please note: If you have technical difficulties uploading your application, please document these with screenshots and reach out to the technical support directly. Applications via email cannot be accepted. portal@daad.de

For any other questions regarding the application please contact the DAAD-TheMuseumsLab-Team: mlab.berlin@daad.de

After the review by the selection committee, the invited participants will be notified by end of February 2025.

Please note: In case of selection, you have seven days to confirm your place in the programme. If you reject the place in the programme or do not respond, it will be given to another applicant. Highly qualified applicants, even if they are not selected, may be approached to contribute to the programme as speakers.

The implementation of the programme is subject to the approval of funds. We are looking forward to your application!

daad.de