The Museum Why network, a Nordic-Baltic initiative that rethinks the role of art institutions in society, is proud to announce a redefined direction and a new group of partners, reflecting the growing momentum for change in the arts.
Since its founding in 2020, Museum Why has served as a platform for collaboration, experimentation, and reflection among museums and curatorial organisations across the Nordic region. With a renewed commitment through 2027, the network expands its scope and capacity to engage more deeply with questions of local relevance, social sustainability, and institutional imagination.
The core partner constellation now includes the founding institutions the Museum of Contemporary Art Roskilde (DK) and Mälmö Art Museum (SE), alongside newly formalised partners EKKM (EE), Henie Onstad Art Center (NO), PUBLICS (FI), and PASS – Center for Practice-based Art Studies, University of Copenhagen (DK).
Building on an already strong collaboration, the network moves forward with a focus on integrating obtained knowledge into their institutional practices and structures. Christian Skovbjerg Jensen, Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art Roskilde, emphasises the value of the network: “Museum Why is a place for honest conversations and experimental thinking. As one of the founding institutions, we bring with us reflections from our nomadic practice and a commitment to building on what we’ve started—together.”
With a focus on collective models, dialogical methods, and long-term site engagement, Museum Why continues to explore how art institutions can engage more actively to support their local relevance through social sustainability and ecological thinking. This approach resonates with Malmö Art Museum’s director, Kirse Junge-Stevnsborg: “Sharing knowledge and collaborating in our processes of change is essential. While our institutional journeys are different, we often face similar challenges.”
The upcoming period will introduce more flexible and open-ended formats through a collaborative production of artistic commissions, publications, workshops, and other public-facing programs. “We believe that expanding our collective initiatives—whether through commissions or publications—will help us put theory into practice, allowing us to act, learn, and ultimately change together” adds Anne Thomasen, curator at Malmö Art Museum.
Over the next three years, Museum Why will continue its work through activities hosted by the partner institution and online, culminating winter 2027. The first collaboration of this period took place as part of PUBLICS’ symposium POSITIONING in Helsinki (29 September – 2 October 2025), which focused on strengthening curatorial strategies and cross-Nordic and Baltic collaboration. “We see Museum Why as part of a wider international dialogue on publicness and curatorial thinking. It’s an important platform for sharing perspectives and evolving institutional practices together.” says Annabelle Antas, Programme Manager at PUBLICS.
From its position within the University of Copenhagen, PASS – Center for Practice-based Art Studies adds a vital academic dimension to the network. “Museum Why gives PASS the opportunity to study how diverse forms of knowledge are created in and through daily museum practices. It allows us to connect emerging researchers with institutions actively rethinking their societal roles.” explains Mikkel Bogh, Head of Centre.
Likewise, Evelyn Raudsepp of EKKM highlights how the network supports open and adaptable forms of exchange: “A small-scale network of mid-sized institutions like Museum Why enables transparent and case-specific knowledge sharing. We see this as a vital platform to address urgent issues while contributing insights from the Baltic contemporary art scene.”
At Henie Onstad Art Center, the partnership is seen as a catalyst for institutional reflection and renewal. “Museum Why is vital now to collectively rethink the role of art institutions in a time of social, ecological, and technological transformation. We look forward to contributing through our cross-disciplinary programming and speculative approaches to knowledge production.” says Senior Curator Susanne Østby Sæther.
By joining Museum Why, partners gain a collegial platform for knowledge sharing and a public stage to address the art institution’s evolving role. Together, the network fosters collaboration and strengthens institutional capacity to navigate contemporary challenges.
Museum Why is organised by Nanna Balslev Strøjer and Anne Thomasen.
For press inquiries, images, or further information, please contact:
Anne Thomasen, anne.thomasen@malmo.se
Stay tuned for updates on programming, partner activities, and public events via our website and Instagram: @museum_why.
The new visual identity and online platform for Museum Why has been developed by Danish/Swedish graphic design duo Kiosk Studio.