TheMuseumsLab Fellowship

TheMuseumsLab Fellowship is a unique African–European joint-learning programme designed for emerging leaders in museums, heritage, and cultural institutions.

Since 2021, each year 25 African and 25 European talents embark on an immersive, year-long journey that blends online learning with onsite experiences and practical engagement in museums and cultural institutions. The programme empowers participants to exchange ideas, build lasting networks, and strengthen their leadership skills, nurturing the next generation of visionary museum professionals and shaping the future of museums across continents. Fellows engage with renowned international museum practitioners, academics, artists, and change-makers, all united by their commitment to advancing the museum sector.

The Fellowship comprises three one-week modules, delivered both online and onsite in Africa and Europe, complemented by a one-week Residency in a partner institution within TheMuseumsLab Partner Museums Network. The fellowship is framed by an online Kick-Off Event at the start and a Closing Event at the end, providing cohesion, reflection, and a structured arc to the year-long programme.

Participants explore and reflect on the history, present, and future of museums, share knowledge and best practices, and gain hands-on experience across diverse museum spaces. The programme combines multidisciplinary perspectives on contemporary museum and heritage debates with opportunities for networking, professional development, and cross-continental career growth.

Programme Components

Kick-Off ・ 1 Day | Online
The internal Kick-Off marks the official start of TheMuseumsLab. In the afternoon, the programme transitions to the Public Kick-Off. This digital event is livestreamed on YouTube. The recordings are available here,

Module 1・1 Week | Online
The first module establishes the historical, conceptual, methodological, and collaborative foundations for TheMuseumsLab. Conducted entirely online, it serves as a foundation for the on‑site phases in Berlin and the African partner city by introducing relevant initiatives and mapping key debates.

Module 2・1 Week | Berlin, Germany
Building on the foundation established in Module 1, Module 2 brings the Fellows together in Berlin to deepen conversations, explore new contexts, and engage directly with exhibitions, curators, artists, activists, and public spaces.

Module 3・1 Week | African Partner City
Building on the conversations in Module 1 and 2, Module 3 brings the Fellows together in the African partner city to deepen conversations, explore new contexts, and engage directly with exhibitions, curators, artists, activists, and public spaces.

So far, Module 3 took place in the following cities:
2026: Kigali · 2025: Addis Ababa · 2024: Accra · 2023: Nairobi · 2022: Cape Town

Residencies・1 Week | African or European partner museum
A one-week Residency at one of our partner museums in Africa and Europe provides further opportunities to share visions and approaches, and to build long-term relationships.

Closing Event・1 Day | Online
The Closing Event marks the official conclusion of the programme, creating space for reflection, exchange, and future perspectives.