PARIS.- This summer Berlin will host Agenda’s leading conference CTM, which will bring together some of the best leaders in the museum and arts sector. Over four days, more than 400 of the world’s leading professionals from the art and museum world will discuss the hottest topics affecting the arts world within the spectacular setting of the Deutsches Historisches Museum. Speakers include a stellar line-up of 50 international professionals from the arts, charities and corporate organisations who will come together to discuss communication strategies, the latest technology that can enhance museums’ communications campaigns as well as talks designed to alter preconceptions of what dialogue means to the museum world.

Speakers include: Chris Dercon, Director, Tate Modern; Margot López, Communication Coordinator, Biomuseo Panama; Kim McKay, Director, Australian Museum and Tania Roach, Executive Director Marketing and Fundraising, WWF and many others.

Fundraising, philanthropy and sponsorship
The first day of CTM on 12th July will focus on fundraising, philanthropy and sponsorship. The talks are designed to inspire those who work in cultural organisations by focusing on running an arts organisation as a successful business in the face of today’s financial challenges. For example, Thomas Girst, Head of Public Engagement at the BMW Group will discuss how to involve partners in both programming and exhibition design and how to be inspired by the latest trends outside of the art world.

Spotlight on dialogue and knowledge-sharing
Agenda’s philosophy is to facilitate knowledge-sharing at CTM’s main conference on 13-15 July by creating opportunities for collaboration through group sessions such as ‘world cafes’, brainstorming sessions, learning safaris and interactive workshops. Organisations outside of the museum world are invited to share best practices and discuss the latest trends covering topics such as: branding, communication in the digital era. A highlight of the conference is Director of the Tate Modern, Chris Dercon’s keynote presentation on ‘The Museum of Exchange’. During which he will share his vision of the museum of the future and how collaboration and exchange should be the model of sustainable cultural practices.

Facing the challenges of the 21st century
CTM Berlin will highlight some of the challenges of the 21st century by exploring issues addressed by the host city that extend beyond the museum world. For example, there will be a panel discussion exploring how several museums in Berlin have trained refugees as museum guides to provide tours in their native language for fellow refugees. These tours are designed to help refugees nurture connections between Germany’s cultural heritage and their own.

Corinne Estrada, CEO of Agenda and Founder of CTM says: ‘Berlin is a fantastic city, with its rich cultural heritage and pioneering approach to innovation makes it a perfect location for this summer’s edition of CTM. This year we have been overwhelmed by support from international organisations such as Tate, V&A, The Australian Museum, The English National Ballet, Deutsches Historisches Museum, BBC and The Art Newspaper which makes the quality of the content at CTM unparalleled and a truly un-missable event.’

CTM will conclude on 15th July with a ‘Learning Safari’, which includes a series of workshops in some of Berlin’s most exciting museums and arts organisations such as: Berlinische Galerie, DB Kunsthalle and me Collectors room Berlin. For those CTM participants who want to continue to explore the cultural gems of Germany, they can extend their trip by travelling to Hamburg on the 16th July to explore the city and its arts scene. Participants will then have the opportunity to take part in a variety of workshops and exclusive curatorial tours of current exhibitions at the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Archaeological Museum and International Maritime Museum as well an exclusive preview of the Elbphilharmonie.