The International Council of Museums (ICOM) is set to make history with its 2025 General Conference, marking the first time the event will be held in the Middle East, Africa, or South Asia since its inception in 1946. Dubai, chosen as the host city, will serve as a global platform for cultural dialogue and innovation, reinforcing its position as a leading hub for international collaboration. The conference, themed ‘The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities,’ will delve into critical issues facing the museum sector, including the preservation of intangible heritage, youth empowerment, and the integration of emerging technologies. These sub-themes aim to foster discussions on how museums can adapt and thrive in an era of rapid societal transformation. Meanwhile, at this year’s conference, Dr. Gabriella Howell, Director of The Heritage Trust (Antigua & Barbuda) Inc., presented the groundbreaking Government House Museum project. Scheduled to open in 2026, the museum will uniquely serve dual purposes: functioning as the Official Offices of the Governor-General while also welcoming the public as a museum. This innovative hybrid model challenges traditional museological boundaries by blending historical curation with contemporary governance, offering visitors a dynamic exploration of colonial legacies and modern narratives. Dr. Howell emphasized the project’s significance, stating, ‘By reimagining Government House as both a functional political space and a public-facing museum, we are crafting a new paradigm where the house museum actively shapes national identity, bridging historical continuity with contemporary relevance.’ The Government House Museum promises to be a living heritage site, inviting visitors to engage with the past and present in a transformative way.
Antigua’s Government House Project Presented at Landmark Conference in Dubai
