Directions 
ICOM Exhibitions Annual Conference 2026
Conference
Momentum: Museums, Exhibitions, and Disruptions
The 2026 annual conference of ICOM Exhibitions will create a space for reflection, dialogue, and collaboration around the current and future challenges shaping exhibitions. The event aims to support innovation, encourage adaptation to change, and advance the work of the international museum community.
Date : October 4 to 8, 2026
Date : October 4 to 8, 2026Place : Musée de la civilisation, Québec City, Canada
Place : Musée de la civilisation, Québec City, CanadaApproximately 150 delegates from around the world are expected to participate.
Disruption is a key driver of innovation in museums. It pushes institutions beyond traditional approaches and allows them to stand out in an evolving cultural landscape. But how far are museums willing to go? This theme invites participants to explore a central question: how can museums be bold enough to move audiences, challenge assumptions, provoke reflection, and create meaningful impact through the visitor experience.
Each day of the conference will explore a different theme (to be announced). The program will begin with keynote presentations by invited speakers who will set the tone for the day. These will be followed by workshops and sessions, including the popular Traveling Exhibitions Marketplace.
Afternoons will be dedicated to visits to the host museum and local cultural institutions, giving participants the opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from peers,
and experience innovative approaches to exhibitions, interpretation, and audience engagement.
Below is an overview of the conference program. The final program will be available in the coming weeks. Sessions will be held in French or English, with simultaneous interpretation in French, English, and Spanish.
Sunday, October 4, 2026
4:00 p.m. The conference will open at the historic Monastère des Augustines, followed by a visit to the new permanent exhibition Resonances. Between Them and Us.
This exhibition invites visitors into a dialogue with the legacy of the Augustinian Sisters. Through a journey that connects heritage and well-being, visitors are encouraged to reflect on how the Augustinians’ history resonates in their own lives. What if the past could help us better inhabit the present?
Monday, October 5, 2026
AM: Workshops and sessions at the Musée de la civilisation
PM: To be announced (TBA)
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
AM: Workshops and sessions at the Musée de la civilisation
PM: Visit to the Musée de la civilisation: Choose from six thematic tours that will take you through the temporary exhibitions Pleasures, Curating Memories, NIN, as well as the permanent exhibitions Québec, In Other Words, Québec This Is Our Story, and My Place. You will also have the opportunity to go behind the scenes and visit the Museum’s workshops.
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
AM: Workshops and sessions at the Musée de la civilisation
PM: Visit to the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec and closing ceremony: Be among the first to discover the new Riopelle Space!
Evening: Dinner at La Bûche. This memorable evening will transport you to the atmosphere of a traditional sugar shack. The menu features revisited traditional dishes, maple syrup, and plenty of conviviality.
Expand your experience and discover Québec’s culture by joining the following activities. Registration is open to attendees and their guests.
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Discover the Île d’Orléans and enjoy the colors of autumn. The program includes a museum visit, lunch at a microbrewery, apple product tastings, and, on the return trip, a stop at the famous Montmorency Falls. Transportation, lunch, and tastings included.
Departure at 9:00 a.m. from the Musée de la civilisation and return at 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $140.
Limited to 48 participants.
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Discover Québec City, its galleries, and artist-run centers where innovation and artistic creation thrive. This 5 km walking tour includes visits to EXMURO arts publics (public art), Galerie d’art Chiguer (contemporary art), and Méduse (contemporary art and cinema), with a stop at a restaurant in the Saint-Roch district.
Departure at 10:00 a.m. from the Musée de la civilisation and return at 4:45 p.m.
Cost: $65.
Limited to 30 participants.
Coming soon in April 2026.
Please note that the following rates are in Canadian dollars and taxes will be added. The registration fee includes coffee breaks, lunches, transportation to the Museums, as well as the Wednesday evening dinner at La Bûche.
Conference Registration
Early Bird (until June 1st, 2026)
- $440 ($505,89 taxes included)
Presenters / ICOM Canada members
- $475 ($546,13 taxes included)
ICOM Members (Categories 1-2)
- $530 ($609,37 taxes included)
ICOM Members (Categories 3-4-5)
- $475 ($546,13 taxes included)
Students
- $475 ($546,13 taxes included)
One-day registration (Wednesday dinner not included)
- $185 ($212,70 taxes included)
Optional Activities (limited capacity)
October 8: Downtown gallery and artist-run centre tour
- $65 ($74,73 taxes included)
October 8: Île d’Orléans excursion
- $140 ($160,97 taxes included)
Evening of October 7: Additional guest – Dinner at La Bûche
- $100 ($114,98 taxes included)
The Musée de la civilisation has secured preferred rates with the following hotels. Please note that availability is limited, so early booking is recommended.
Monastère des Augustines
Located a 10-minute walk or bus ride away (please note that both options involve an uphill/downhill walk), in Old Québec, the Monastère des Augustines offers an experiential stay in a restored historic cloister focused on comfort, simplicity, and well-being. Guests may choose between a historic or contemporary ambiance within the same reflective environment.
Room options: :
- Authentic room (single occupancy) with shared bathroom and silent vitality breakfast: $163 + taxes
- Contemporary room (single or double occupancy) with private bathroom and silent vitality breakfast: $290 (single) or $340 (double) + taxes
To book (before September 4, 2026), call 1-844-694-1639 or book online using code ICOM-1004.
Château Bellevue
Located a 15-minute walk from the museum (please note that the route includes an uphill/downhill section), Château Bellevue is made up of four historic houses. Close to the river and in the heart of Old Québec, it offers an intimate and comfortable atmosphere.
Several room types are available, with rates ranging from $259 to $369 + taxes.
To book or for more information (before September 4, 2026), call 1-800-463-4453 or email [email protected].
Hôtel Pur
Located a 30-minute walk (no hills) or a 12-minute bus ride away, in the vibrant Saint-Roch district, Hôtel PUR features a distinctive urban design and rooms with panoramic city views. Close to trendy cafés and restaurants, the hotel places you in the heart of the action. Guests also have access to a pool and fitness centre, and the scenic Saint-Charles River pathway is just 700 metres away.
One room type is available for single or double occupancy at $279 per night + taxes. Paid parking is available on-site or nearby.
To book (before August 4, 2026), call 1-800-267-2002 or reserve online.
Château Laurier
Located a 27-minute walk from the museum (please note that the route includes an uphill/downhill section), in the Old Québec area near the Plains of Abraham and the lively Grande Allée, Château Laurier offers elegance and comfort. Amenities include a pool, fitness centre, and sauna.
Several room types are available, with rates ranging from $289 to $429 + taxes.
To book or for more information (before September 4, 2026), call 1-800-463-4453 or email [email protected].
Hilton
Located a 25-minute walk (uphill/downhill sections) or a 15-minute bus ride away, at the entrance to Old Québec on Parliament Hill, the Hilton offers a welcoming setting within walking distance of Old Québec, the Plains of Abraham, and the Saint-Jean-Baptiste district. Guests enjoy access to a heated rooftop pool.
Room options:
- Parliament view (single or double): $369 + taxes
- Old Québec and river view (single or double): $389 + taxes
- Executive floor (includes Executive Lounge access, breakfast, hors d’oeuvres, and paid bar service): $449 (single) or $474 (double) + taxes
To book (before September 4, 2026), use the reservation link or call 1-800-447-2411 (Group code: GMUSA).
Coming soon!
Discover in this guide useful information about Québec City, its neighbourhoods, and a selection of recommended places and activities curated by our team.
About ICOM Exhibitions
ICOM Exhibitions is an international committee of the International Conference of Museums that brings together and engages a global community of exhibition professionals. It promotes transformation within museums, ICOM, and the wider exhibition community by fostering the sharing of best practices in exhibition design, production, and dissemination, developing partnerships, and advancing sustainable exhibition models.
About the Musée de la civilisation
Recognized among the most important national and international museums, the Musée de la civilisation stands out for its societal and multidisciplinary approach, placing people at the center of its activities. Opened in 1988, it is a state museum located in
Québec City’s Old Port. The museum complex features eight exhibition halls, including three permanent exhibitions, two auditoriums, a café, and a museum shop.
About our partners
Musée national des Beaux-arts du Québec
The museum showcases Québec’s artistic heritage alongside international art. Its collection spans historical, modern, and contemporary works, offering visitors a rich cultural experience.
Monastère des Augustines
The Monastère des Augustines occupies the historic wings of the Hôtel-Dieu de Québec monastery (1639), which was the site of the first hospital in North America north of Mexico. Fully restored and redesigned, and open since 2015, the Monastère offers visitors a unique wellness retreat experience, along with several original ways to engage with the Augustinian heritage: a museum, experiential accommodation, an archives centre, programming in global health and culture, mindful dining, and a care centre.
Get directions to the Musée.
For any questions about the conference, please contact Catherine Benoit, Planning and Outreach Officer, at [email protected]