Museums and Chill

If we imagine a truly regenerative museum in the future, what might it feel like to walk into that space?
We recorded a series of episodes for a special series of Museums and Chill – The ICOM Podcast from ICOM Dubai 2025, a moment where museum thinkers come together to reflect on the role of museums in a changing world.
This episode engages with two of the Conference’s key sub-themes: New Technologies and Intangible Heritage.
As museums navigate rapid technological transformation alongside shifting social, environmental, and demographic realities, questions around innovation, responsibility, and cultural continuity are becoming increasingly central. This conversation explores how museums can embrace new technologies to enhance creation, preservation, learning, and engagement, while safeguarding the integrity and authenticity of intangible heritage. It reflects on how institutions can integrate digital advancement thoughtfully, not only to improve operations and audience experiences, but to ensure that living traditions, knowledge systems, and cultural expressions remain meaningful and resilient within rapidly evolving communities.
Every three years, museum professionals gather at the ICOM General Conference to listen, to question, and to exchange ideas. Across these conversations, we explore how museums are evolving, how responsibilities are shifting, and how culture continues to connect communities around the world.
Join us while we discover how regenerative thinking goes beyond reducing impact, toward restoring ecosystems, strengthening communities, and reshaping institutional mindsets with Adib Dada.
This episode's guest
Adib Dada is an internationally recognized regenerative advisor, environmental architect, and founder of theOtherDada (tOD), an advisory and architecture practice, pioneering nature-based design rooted in biomimicry and systems thinking. His work bridges architecture, ecology, and art to regenerate cities and restore biodiversity, advancing a new paradigm where the built environment develops into a living system for all of Life to thrive.
This episode's host
Anapaula García Soto is a Communications Coordinator at the International Council of Museums Secretariat in Paris, and producer and host of the ICOM podcast Museums and Chill. She works on editorial and storytelling initiatives highlighting diverse museum perspectives. She holds a B.A. in Communication and Digital Media and a Master’s degree in Creative Project Management, Culture and Design.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed by our podcast’s guests are their own and do not reflect the opinions or views of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and its bodies and entities. The content provided in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. ICOM and its bodies and entities do not endorse or take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed by guests during the podcast. Listeners are encouraged to conduct their own research and seek professional advice when making decisions based on the information discussed in this podcast.

How do we create stronger dialogue between new professionals and more established generations in the field?
We recorded a series of episodes for a special series of Museums and Chill – The ICOM Podcast from ICOM Dubai 2025, a moment were museum thinkers come together to reflect on the role of museums in a changing world.
This episode engages with one of the Conference’s key sub-themes: Youth Power. As museums navigate rapid social, cultural, and technological change, questions around intergenerational dialogue, representation, and leadership are becoming increasingly central. This conversation explores how youth perspectives are not only shaping museum practice today, but also influencing how institutions imagine their futures — from governance and programming to community engagement and knowledge production.
Every three years, museum professionals gather to listen, to question, and to exchange ideas at the ICOM General Conference. Across these conversations, we explore how museums are evolving, how responsibilities are shifting, and how culture continues to connect communities globally.
Join us while we discover the different ways we can approach your museum, arts and culture professionals with Abhirami Suresh.
Welcome back and we hope you enjoy this conversation!
THIS EPISODE’S GUESTS
Abhirami Suresh is the curator of the Youth Assembly programme at Jameel Arts Centre, and works with the Learning, Exhibitions and Programming teams to shape learning projects that prioritise youth communities, engagement and research-collaborations. Her work focuses on creating space for emerging voices and experimental forms of knowledge through research, pedagogy and community engagement. Abhirami’s personal research and curatorial practice has been presented at international avenues including the Karama Arts Club (2025), Curatorial Fellowship with Kochi-Muziris Biennale (2022), Young Curator Residency for Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival (2022), the London Design Biennale (2021) and the Ford Foundation Grant (2020).
ABOUT MUSEUMS AND CHILL
Museums and Chill is the official ICOM podcast, offering a space for museum practitioners and thinkers from across the globe to reflect on the ideas, practices, and challenges shaping museums today. Each episode invites listeners into conversations on inspiration, innovation, ethics, and strategy, highlighting how museums navigate change while remaining relevant and inclusive cultural spaces. In recognition of its editorial approach and impact, the podcast was nominated for a European Excellence Award in 2024.
THIS EPISODE’S HOST
Anapaula García Soto is a Communications Coordinator at the International Council of Museums Secretariat in Paris, and producer and host of the ICOM podcast Museums and Chill. She works on editorial and storytelling initiatives highlighting diverse museum perspectives. She holds a B.A. in Communication and Digital Media and a Master’s degree in Creative Project Management, Culture and Design.
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed by our podcast’s guests are their own and do not reflect the opinions or views of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and its bodies and entities. The content provided in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. ICOM and its bodies and entities do not endorse or take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed by guests during the podcast. Listeners are encouraged to conduct their own research and seek professional advice when making decisions based on the information discussed in this podcast.

How can museums leverage digital practices to make their spaces more accessible and inclusive?
In this episode of Museums and Chill, we talk with Emilia Sharples, member of the Museums & Audiences Team at Art Fund, about using technology to enhance accessibility, engage diverse audiences, and empower young professionals in the museum sector.
We also touch on the upcoming ICOM General Conference and its subthemes Youth Power and Technologies, exploring how digital tools are shaping the future of museum accessibility.
Join us for a conversation full of insights, practical ideas, and inspiration for making cultural institutions more welcoming for everyone.!

How can archives preserve stories with care, build trust with communities, and reflect on ethical stewardship in today’s world?
In this Museums and Chill Pride special, we speak with Daniel Payne, Reference Archivist at The ArQuives, Canada’s LGBTQ2+ Archives.
As ICOM revises its Code of Ethics, these questions are more important than ever.
Tune in and join the conversation!
THIS EPISODE’S GUESTS
Daniel Payne, Reference Archivist at The ArQuives: Canada’s LGBTQ2+ Archives. Daniel also has a rich background in library and information science, musicology, and community-based teaching. He has worked in various roles, from head of reference services at OCAD University Library to teaching art librarianship at the University of Toronto’s iSchool.
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed by our podcast’s guests are their own and do not reflect the opinions or views of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and its bodies and entities. The content provided in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. ICOM and its bodies and entities do not endorse or take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed by guests during the podcast. Listeners are encouraged to conduct their own research and seek professional advice when making decisions based on the information discussed in this podcast.

A compelling conversation with the Swedish art and architecture collective – MYCKET, a group whose work weaves together performance, architecture, activism and community building.
We explore how their work speaks to some of the key Sustainable Development Goals covered by this year’s International Museum Day theme:
SDG 8, by supporting local economies through creative employement and education.
SDG 9, by fostering innovation and embracing new technologies to engage diverse audiences.
SDG 11, by imagining more inclusive and resilient urban futures where culture and heritage are central.

THIS EPISODE’S GUESTS
MYCKET collaborations was funded in 2012 by artists, designers and architects Mariana Alves Silva, Dr. Katarina Bonnevier and Thérèse Kristiansson. Based on equity they practice at all scales and are informed by the more-than-human, the carnivalesque and queerness. They are also artistic researchers affiliated to Design +Change, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Linnaeus University, Växjö. Their artistic research practice, which often takes place together with others in large networks, has generated a breadth of outcomes; large-scale theatre productions, permanent public spaces, works of art and craft, animations, performances, text and theory production. They recieved the 2024 W-award for research in gender and architecture by the The Architectectural Review and Architects’ Journal.
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed by our podcast’s guests are their own and do not reflect the opinions or views of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and its bodies and entities. The content provided in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. ICOM and its bodies and entities do not endorse or take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed by guests during the podcast. Listeners are encouraged to conduct their own research and seek professional advice when making decisions based on the information discussed in this podcast.