Reading Room

Don’t miss out on interesting exhibitions, cultural news, inspiring theories or brand-new ideas. Here you will find a carefully curated selection of articles, books, papers, and reports that explore how museums can act as spaces for democracy, inclusion, innovation, resilience and social change and that cultural work matters. 
 
The Reading Room is designed as an open resource for museum professionals, cultural practitioners, and anyone interested in how museums and cultural work shape and are shaped by the world around them. Browse by theme, discover new perspectives, and return whenever you’re looking for inspiration, evidence, or thoughtful reading.
 
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The MOI impact framework: acatalyst for systemic change inmuseums

by Agnes Aljas, Petri Uusikylä, Pille Runnel, Pirjo Hamari
  • Community, Relevance
  • Article
The Museums of Impact (MOI) Framework explores how museums can move beyond measuring outputs to creating lasting societal value through collaboration, co-creation, and shared learning. Developed with contributions from more than 1,000 museum professionals across Europe, it demonstrates how innovation thrives when diverse perspectives come together. An inspiring resource for anyone interested in strengthening museums’ innovation capacity and sustainable cultural impact.
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We Need Museums More Than Ever

by Rebecca Carlsson
  • Relevance
  • Article
As highlighted in this article by MuseumNext, museums play a vital role in supporting vulnerable communities, challenging stigma, and ensuring that diverse voices are seen and heard. From projects that engage LGBTQIA+ communities to initiatives that work alongside people experiencing homelessness, museums have the power to foster empathy and belonging and resilience.
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Trust, Play, and Platforms

by Dean Jackson, Samantha Bradshaw
  • Community, Digital, Engagement
  • Publication
A highly relevant read for anyone exploring the intersection of gaming, culture, and digital public spaces. “Trust, Play, and Platforms” by the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights highlights how games can offer valuable lessons on community building, participation, moderation, and safer digital environments.
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Cultural Heritage in Rural Areas

by Kinga Anna Gajda, Piotr Michalowski
  • Community, Engagement, Inclusion
  • Article
In their latest article, Piotr Michalowski and Kinga Anna Gajda explore how cultural heritage can become a powerful driver of community connection, identity, and long-term sustainability in rural contexts. Using the case of La Chartreuse de Neuville, the article highlights a participatory and human-centred approach to heritage management. An approach that actively involves local communities, fosters a sense of belonging, and redefines how we think about preservation. Heritage sites thrive when they are open, inclusive, and embedded in the social fabric of their communities, not treated as isolated cultural assets.
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Preserving the Invisible

by Diana Fehr, Piotr Michalowski
  • Relevance
  • Article
MuseoSpace Foundation is featured in the latest issue of Spotlighting Museums by Das Relevante Museum (NORDMETALL-Stiftung). The article reflects on the foundation’s journey from an initial vision of community empowerment through participatory cultural practices to a growing network of collaborations across Europe and beyond.
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Museum Participation

by Jen Kavanagh, Kayte McSweeney
  • Engagement, Inclusion
  • Book
Genuine participation in museums goes beyond simply “taking part.” It means sharing authority, decision-making, and power, and rethinking the boundaries between professionals and the public. Museum Participation: New Directions for Audience Collaboration presents inspiring examples and insights that show how museums can enable meaningful participation.
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