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Exhibitions Connect 2025: Full Programme
Join colleagues nationwide for networking and inspiration at Exhibitions Connect 2025 – the UK’s principal event for the cultural exhibitions sector.
Our 2025 event will take place on Tuesday 29th April at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. If you haven’t yet booked your place, you can do so here.
We are pleased to confirm the programme for the day below.
Event Schedule
10:30 – 11:00
Refreshments, Visit Stands and Networking
11:00 – 11:10
Welcome & Opening Remarks
- Daniel Slater, Director of Exhibitions, V&A
11:10 – 11:55
Funding Futures – Funding Bodies and Exhibitions Shaping Cultural Policy
A dynamic discussion with sector leaders on how funding bodies and cultural institutions collaborate to develop impactful exhibitions.
- Session Host: Miranda Stacey, Co-Chair of The Exhibitions Group
- Panellists:
- Sara Wajid, Co-CEO, Birmingham Museums Trust
- Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund
- Jon Finch, Head of Culture and Visitor Economy, Barnsley Council
11:55 – 12:15
Visit Stands and Networking
12:15 – 13:00
The Road to Change: Reducing the Environmental Impact of Touring Exhibitions
- Speakers:
- Reyahn King, Executive Director, The Exhibitions Group
- Elise Foster Vander Elst, Head of Exhibitions & Environmental Impact Lead, The Design Museum, London
- Danny Chivers, Sustainability Advisor to the Gallery Climate Coalition
13:00 – 14:15
Lunch, Visit Stands and Networking
14:15 – 14:45
Share Session
Led by Dana Andrew, Professional Development Manager, The Exhibitions Group, and featuring presentations by:
- Christine Felce
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- World Press Photo
- Emma Fay
- Natural History Museum, London
- Barbican Art Gallery
- Nomad Exhibitions
- lililillilil
- World Touring Exhibitions
- American Museum & Gardens
The Share Session slots are now fully booked but you can still book a half or full stand to share your exhibition ideas and proposals with delegates.
14:45 – 15:30
Refreshments, Visit Stands and Networking
15:30 – 16:10
Case Studies: Centring Community Voices Through Exhibition Collaborations
Speakers:
- Ashleigh Hibbins, Head of Audience and Learning, Perth Museum, Scotland will speak about Unicorn, the debut exhibition at Perth Museum. The exhibition explores the story of the unicorn’s enduring presence throughout history and its role as a symbol of Scotland’s changing heritage and identity, and as a modern symbol of the LGBTQI+ community.
- O’Molemo Thamae, Founder and Director, Omnegus Media and member of the Sub Sahara Advisory Panel will speak about the Reframing Picton exhibition at the National Museum Cardiff. The exhibition is the culmination of over two years of community outreach between Amgueddfa Cymru and the Sub Sahara Advisory Panel.
16:10 – 16:25
Closing Remarks
Monday 28 April – Exhibitions Connect Warm-up Events
In addition to the main event itself and as part of your delegate ticket, you will have the option to attend a range of additional events, specially curated by us. These include talks, activities and an informal networking and social event, which will all take place across the afternoon and evening of Monday 28 April. Delegates will be sent details and options in advance and limited places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.