“Works on the Move: Strategies, Practices, and Responsibilities in the Mobility of Museum Collections” is a series of events organised by ICOM Italy and Lombardy Region in collaboration with ICOM Exhibitions and the British Museum. Held across two sessions scheduled for November 2026, the programme is dedicated to the complex circulation of works of art.
At the heart of the discussion is the delicate balance between an institution’s decision to grant a loan and the operational management of its transport. Today, the movement of collections represents a vital element in the life of museums, driving research, enhancing collection display, and fostering inter-institutional cooperation. However, every transfer requires balancing the demand for public access with the primary duty to protect the object, navigating comprehensive analyses that range from regulatory compliance to logistics sustainability and risk management.
The sessions offer an integrated perspective on these aspects by examining the diverse expertise and responsibilities involved throughout every stage of the process. Alongside presentations establishing the theoretical and methodological framework, the initiative aims to provide a clear, up-to-date picture, equipping professionals with practical tools and best practice for day-to-day collection management, enriched by the invaluable insights and hands-on experience of the British Museum.
DOWNLOAD THE FULL PROGRAMME (PDF)
Participation in the webinars is open to all interested individuals, including non-ICOM members. To register, please access the ICOM Italy Members Area, log in, and select “Webinars and conferences” (Webinar e convegni). ICOM members—even those with outstanding membership fees—are already listed in the Members Area database and do not need to register again. If logging in for the first time, simply follow the password recovery procedure. Non-members can register on the platform by creating a new account and then proceeding to sign up for the webinars. Should you encounter any access issues or require support, please contact areariservata@icom-italia.org.
First webinar: Thursday, 19 November 2026
Time: 10:00 – 13:10 (CET), ICOM Italy Zoom Platform with Italian/English interpreting
The first day examines in depth the regulatory, ethical, and decision-making framework of loans. The session will analyse the impact of recent legislative updates—including the amendments introduced by Law No. 40 of 17 March 2026—and the procedures adopted by major museums to define eligibility criteria, workflows, and non-removability constraints. The programme brings together the institutional perspective of the Ministry of Culture with the organizational dynamics of public-private partnerships such as the Accademia Carrara, before opening up to the international dimension with an overview from ICOM Exhibitions and a case study from the British Museum.
PROGRAMME
10:00 – 10.20 | Official welcome
Lombardy Region
10:20 – 10:40 | Introduction to the proceedings
Valeria Arrabito, ICOM Italy
10.40 – 11.10 Temporary export of cultural heritage: regulatory framework, procedures, and responsibilities in light of recent reforms
Valeria Guerrisi, Italian Ministry of Culture
11:10 – 11.40 | Criteria and processes for assessing loans: between practice and immutability
Roberta Accordino, Director presso ArtQuality San Paolo Brazil
11.40 – 12.10 | Lending artworks from the perspective of Accademia Carrara
Chiara Valagussa, Registrar at Accademia Carrara Foundation
12.10 – 12.20 | Introduction to ICOM Exhibitions: Initiatives and International Cooperation
Jole Martinenghi, Board Member of ICOM Exhibitions
12.20 – 13.00 | Lending at scale: balancing demand, resources and partnerships at the British Museum
David Packer, Head of Collection Documentation and Registration and Clementine Loustric, International Engagement Manager, British Museum
13.00 – 13.10 | Discussion and conclusion
Second webinar: Thursday, 26 November 2026
Time: 10:00 – 13:00 (CET), ICOM Italy Zoom Platform Italian only
The second session shifts the focus onto the operational and sustainable aspects of collection transport. Starting from the strategic value of mobility in contemporary exhibition policy and museography, featuring a contribution from the Registrarte Association, the webinar will examine the specialist coordination of the Registrar, technical packaging and transport solutions provided by Arterìa srl, through to the scientific monitoring of physical and microclimatic stresses essential to ensuring preventive conservation in transit.
PROGRAMME
10.00 – 10.10 | Official welcome
Lombardy Region
10.10 – 11.10 | Memory on the move: collection mobility as a driver of enhancement, cooperation, research, and museographical innovation
Aldo R. D. Accardi, Associate Professor at San Raffaele University, Rome
11:10 – 11:40 | Co-ordinating loan operations: the role of the Registrar
Daniela Sogliani, Vice President of Registrarte
11:40 – 12:10 | Integrated logistics and security: specialised packaging, handling and risk management
Arterìa – Fine Art Logistics
12:10 – 12:40 | From transport risks to conservation protocols: case studies from the Opificio delle Pietre Dure
Shirin Afra, Conservator of the Opificio delle Pietre Dure
12:40 – 13:00 | Discussion and conclusion
