Every three years, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) convenes its General Conference – a flagship global gathering that brings together museum professionals from across the world to exchange ideas and address the most pressing challenges shaping the museum sector.
The selection of Dubai as the host city for the 2025 ICOM General Conference marks a historic milestone. For the first time since ICOM’s establishment in 1946, this prestigious event will be held in the Middle East, Africa, or South Asia, positioning Dubai as a global hub for cultural dialogue and innovation.
The 2025 conference will explore the theme, “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.” This theme reflects the evolving landscape that museums and communities navigate today, emphasizing the sector’s role in responding to societal transformation. Three interconnected sub-themes – safeguarding intangible heritage, empowering youth, and embracing new technologies – will frame in-depth discussions on how museums can adapt, innovate, and inspire in an era of constant change.
At this year’s conference, Dr. Gabriella Howell, Director on the Board of The Heritage Trust (Antigua & Barbuda) Inc., presented on the forthcoming Government House Museum project. Her presentation highlighted the dual purpose of Government House – soon to reopen as both the Official Offices of the Governor-General and, for the first time, as a public museum.
This innovative hybrid model offers a compelling case study in how house museums can bear witness not only to the past but also to the dynamic political and cultural realities of the present. The project explores how the building’s rich history can be curated alongside its ongoing governmental function, challenging conventional museological boundaries and inviting visitors to consider how contemporary narratives and colonial legacies coexist within a living heritage site.
Reflecting on the project, Dr Howell noted:
“By reimagining Government House as both a functional political space and a public-facing museum, we are crafting a new paradigm – one where the house museum becomes an active participant in shaping national identity, mediating between historical continuity and contemporary relevance.”
The Government House Museum – Antigua and Barbuda – will be opening in 2026.
