The “Future Scenarios for Museums and Art Institutions” project has reached a pivotal milestone with the finalisation of its comprehensive report. A joint initiative by 4CF The Futures Literacy Company, FutureEverything and partners: the British Council, the National Institute of Museums, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, this project has explored the evolving role of cultural institutions in an era of rapid change.

A Vision for 2050

The project was designed to push the boundaries of institutional imagination, helping museums and art institutions envision their roles by 2050. Through extensive research and dynamic foresight methodologies—including scenario-building workshops and sector-wide surveys—experts developed four distinct future scenarios:

• Trust Without Boundaries: A vision of AI-driven, blockchain-powered museums that operate with decentralised governance and autonomous resource management.
• Symbiotic Museums: An ecosystem where human and non-human agents collaborate, integrating cutting-edge technology and bio-cultural elements.
• Totemic Democracy and Neutrality: Exploring the tensions between institutional neutrality and increasing societal polarisation.
• Digital Abundance: A world where museums exist predominantly in virtual realms, redefining engagement through immersive digital experiences.

Key Insights and Challenges

The report identifies critical uncertainties that will shape the future of museums, including public funding models, climate change impacts, AI’s role in curation, and the balance between physical and digital experiences. It also highlights major trends, such as the shift to more adaptive organisational structures, the growing importance of community engagement, and the necessity for sustainability-focused practices.

Critical Uncertainties

• Future public funding models amid shifting political and economic landscapes.
• The impact of climate change on museum operations and infrastructure.
• The role of artificial intelligence in curatorial and management practices.
• Museums’ ability to maintain cultural authority in a democratised society.
• The balance between physical and digital experiences.
• Relationships between local and global cultural networks.

Key Trends and Challenges

• Shift toward fluid, adaptive organisational structures.
• Integration of AI and non-human agents in decision-making.
• Growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility.
• The need for new curatorial practices to adapt to evolving technologies.
• The challenge of balancing technological innovation with human experience.

Polish-British Collaboration and a Broader Perspective

A key element of the project was the collaboration between Polish and British institutions, fostering knowledge exchange and innovative thinking. This partnership provided a unique platform for integrating diverse perspectives and ensuring that the project’s findings have a truly global impact. 

Impact and Next Steps

The project’s findings have already been presented at two major conferences—the 4th Research in the Cultural Sector Conference (Kraków) and the CoMUSEUM International Conference (Athens)—where cultural leaders engaged in discussions on the role of museums in an uncertain future. These insights will continue to shape policy discussions and institutional strategies worldwide.

As museums stand at a crossroads, this project serves as a call to action—encouraging institutions to embrace innovation, rethink their roles, and build resilient, future-ready models that respond to the complexities of our changing world.

We invite museum professionals, policymakers, and cultural leaders to engage with the findings and contribute to shaping the museums of the future.

Download the report!