Why do I (not) go to museums?
This question was explored by Kuverum and HEK as part of a joint networking event. Across eight roundtables, held throughout the museum, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on cultural participation, target audiences and their needs, as well as motivations and barriers. The conversations also addressed participation, new audiences, and the public perception of museums.
The event brought together over 60 participants from diverse backgrounds and age groups, most of them based in the Basel region. Attendees included museum professionals, representatives of social organisations, funding bodies and foundations, as well as individuals who do not regularly visit museums, neighbours, and participants of “TiM – Tandem in Museum.” This diversity of perspectives shaped and enriched the exchange.
The discussions were structured in two consecutive rounds following a “World Café” format. At each table, five to eight participants engaged in conversation, guided by a moderator from the Kuverum 17 programme and supported by a roundtabler representing an institution. After the first round, participants moved to a new table, while moderators summarised the key insights and carried them into the next discussion. This process allowed ideas to connect, deepen, and evolve across groups.
In the plenary session that followed, the roundtablers shared the key takeaways from the discussions, which were then continued informally over a shared apéro. The event thus created space not only for dialogue, but also for building new connections.
This publication brings together the central insights from the roundtables. The discussions were moderated and documented in writing by students from Kuverum 17.
The event was organised and carried out in collaboration with Franziska Dürr and Sarah Miebach, co-heads of Kuverum, together with the students of Kuverum 17.