Creators Plus Souvenirs: What Products Can Museums Offer?

15:50 — 17:20 (May 23)
New Treryakov Kadashi
Plenary Hall

#heritage_preservation
#museum_product

Roundtable Discussion

Souvenir products inspired by artwork serve as reflections of a museum’s cultural values and identity. In recent years, they have also become an ideal platform for collaboration between museums and the creative sector. The outcomes of such partnerships can range from traditional museum staples — postcards, tote bags, and T-shirts — to interactive objects or digital applications.

When creators embark on designing a museum’s souvenir collection, they undertake a journey of reinterpreting the familiar while seeking to develop products that resonate emotionally. This process demands not only artistic vision but also the ability to engage in dialogue with museum professionals and a deep understanding of end consumers' needs.

• What challenges do emerging creators face when collaborating with museum institutions?
• How can novice creators evaluate the economic viability of a souvenir concept?
• How should copyright issues be navigated in 2025?

Moderator:
Mariam Andreasyan, Curator of the Museum Professionals Community, Author of the Museum Souvenir Telegram Channel

Speakers:
Alexandra Bogdanova, Director, Arkhangelsk Museum of Local History
Maria Stepanova, Head of Industrial and Product Design at HSE Art and Design School, Educator, Member of the Russian Union of Designers, Curator of Exhibition Projects
Anastasia Shcherbakova, Artist, Designer, Creative Director, and Co-founder, ARTEFACTORY Studio