The AHEAD project is proud to announce a series of online events launching this summer and autumn. Our four online networking events are designed to foster transnational and cross-sectoral exchange, bringing together AHEAD partners, heritage professionals, artists, and changemakers from other fields. Through real-world examples and case studies, the series will explore how co-creation, design thinking, community participation and artistic contributions can shape more inclusive and sustainable approaches to audience development.

Organised as the project nears completion, these events build on the experiences and insights gained through the application of design thinking in heritage spaces across the AHEAD national hubs in Greece, Italy, and Spain.

These events also offer a valuable opportunity for AHEAD partners to listen to other experiences, reflect critically on their own practices, and share the knowledge they have co-developed throughout the project.

In line with the project vision, we will co-create a space for mutual learning – a chance to hear from a diversity of voices within and beyond the heritage sector about what it takes to engage people meaningfully in cultural participation.

What to expect

We’ve curated four dynamic online events, each hosted by a project partner and featuring leading thinkers, practitioners, and disruptors in the field of cultural participation and innovation. Each session will include keynote presentations, short interviews, and space for Q&A and peer exchange in optional breakout rooms.

Save the Date!
The first session of the AHEAD event series kicks off on 21st July 2025.

Event 1:  Design Thinking for cultural heritage
Unlocking audience-centred approaches to innovate the heritage sector

Date: 21st July 2025; 14.30–16.00 CET, Online

Event Leader: University of Deusto (Spain)

This session showcases experiences where  design thinking has been applied in heritage organisations as a co-creation tool actively involving their audiences. Drawing on examples from experts in the ACED methodology that have applied this format in different geographical and cultural contexts, we’ll explore how heritage institutions can use these methods to better understand and respond to community needs.

Invited guests:

  • Ilídio Louro, Architect & Project Coordinator at Mapa das Ideias (Portugal)
  • Niels Righolt, Director of CKI – Danish Centre for Arts & Interculture (Denmark)

Host: Jaime Cuenca, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities

Event 2: Design Thinking and the Arts
Learning from other fields to rethink participation and co-creation

Date: 30th July 2025
Event Leader: Impact Valley (Belgium)

We’ll broaden the lens to explore how other sectors have applied design thinking and artistic practice to reinvent their approaches. What can cultural heritage learn from these cross-sector innovations?

Event 3: Partnership models between heritage institutions and grassroots organisations

Date: 10th September 2025
Event Leader: The Heritage Management Organization (Greece)

We’ll examine how partnerships with grassroots and community-based organisations can breathe new life into heritage programming. Expect rich case studies and practical insights into how to create collaborations based on mutual respect and shared goals.

Event 4: Artists as bridge-builders: participation and cultural heritage

Date: 29th September 2025
Event Leader: Melting Pro (Italy)

Drawing from the experiences of artists involved in the AHEAD project, this event delves into the unique and transformative contributions artists can bring to heritage work. How can institutions collaborate with artists to deepen engagement, challenge assumptions, and expand participation?

These online events are more than just discussions, they are opportunities to shape the future of audience development in the CH sector. Whether you’re a museum professional, educator, artist, or policymaker, we invite you to join us, learn, and collaborate in building a more resilient and relevant cultural heritage ecosystem.

Stay tuned to the AHEAD project website and social media channels for more information on our invited guests, registration links and updates on the full programme.

Sign Up Here: