TheMuseumsLab is a programme for joint learning, perspective exchange, networking and career building among African and European professionals. Bringing them together
to build bridges between individuals, institutions, nations and two continents for an engaged discussion on how museums can confront their past, meet the present needs of society and work towards an equitable future.

African und European Museum professionals who have at least two years experience of working in the museum, heritage, or art sector.

The participation in the complete programme of 2023

Programme activities will take place from 6 June 2024 to 10 December 2024.

6 June 2024: Programme kick-off and seminar module 1 (1 day, 1 week, online)
11 to 13 June & 18 to 19 June 2024: Module I (Online)
12 to 19 September 2024: Residency at European Partner Institution September 2024: Seminar module 3 and project work (2 weeks, onsite Accra, Ghana)
6 to 13 November 2024: Residency at African Partner Institution
13 to 21 November 2024: Module III (Onsite in XXX)
10 December 2024: Closing Event (Online)

For the onsite phases the following programme-related costs will be covered by the DAAD:

• International and national transport to arrive to and depart from programme locations (lowest possible economy class airfare and 2nd class train tickets)
• Local public transport (if applicable) duing Module 2, Module 3 and the Residencies
• Airport transfers (Module 3 in Accra, Residencies in Africa if applicable)
• Visa fees (for visa processes at official entities)
• Health insurance (via DAAD group contract/reimbursement up to 40 Euros)
• Accommodation during the onsite Modules and Residency Locations

• Programme related entrance fees
• Daily allowance during the onsite Modules and Residencies (limited compensation for meals not provided in the programme)

Please note: All programme related travels and accommodations will also be arranged and booked by the DAAD.

A committee of internal and external experts will review applications.
The selection criteria are:

Professional competencies and experiences

• At least two years experience of working in the museum, heritage or art sector
• Focus on programme relevant topics

Professional qualification

• HEI degree in a museum, heritage, art related field

Potential of the applicant

• Motivation: professional and personal reasons for the participation in the programme
• Prospects: Significance of the participation in the programme for further professional and personal development

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 multiplier

Language skills

• Sufficient English skills (Level C1)

Commitment to the programme

• High motivation to actively engage in participation formats. 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 Fellow's 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.

The programme was developed by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (MfN), the Master‘s Programme in Museum Management and Communication at the Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin (HTW) and the African consultancy group The Advisors.
It consists of a seminar (three modules), residencies at European and African partner museums] and a project phase.
It will start with an online phase (kick-off and module 1) in May 2024, continue with the first presence phase (module 2 in Berlin, residencies at European and African partner museums) in June 2024 and close with the second presence phase (module 3, project work in Accra, Ghana) in September 2024.
You can find an overview of partner institutions that hosted fellows in the framework of TheMusemsLab here.