Training Course Title: Curating Future: Museum for Sustainable Southeast Asia
Theme: Interpretation for Tomorrow: Fostering Innovation and Enhancing Tomorrow’s Interpretation in Southeast Asia Museums
Venue and Dates:
- Online, 4th – 7th June 2025
- Ayutthaya, Thailand, 17th – 20th June 2025
Working language: English
The International Council on Museums (ICOM) defines a museum as a not-for-profit, permanent institution dedicated to serving society by researching, collecting, conserving, interpreting, and exhibiting tangible and intangible heritage. Museums operate and communicate ethically and professionally, engaging communities and offering diverse experiences for education, enjoyment, reflection, and knowledge sharing (ICOM, 2022). As museums strive to fulfil this mission, they must navigate a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by technological innovation, changing visitor expectations, and the growing imperative to preserve and present diverse cultural narratives.
Museum interpretation, the practice of engaging audiences with collections and heritage, has become a cornerstone of a museum’s mission to educate and foster cultural understanding. However, many museum professionals face significant skill gaps in interpretation-related areas, hindering their ability to meet contemporary demands.
In response to these changes, SEAMEO SPAFA, under its 8th Five-Year Development Plan, has launched the training course on Curating Future: Museum for Sustainable Southeast Asia – Interpretation for Tomorrow. This forward-focused initiative aims to empower museum professionals across Southeast Asia with innovative tools and strategies in museum interpretation.
The course combines a hybrid format, featuring both online lectures and an onsite workshop scheduled for June 2025. It seeks to address critical gaps in museological knowledge, with a focus on contemporary theories, emerging trends, and integrated interpretive models and strategies.
The online lecture series, delivered via Zoom, will cover essential museum interpretation theories from the 1990s to the present Human-Centered interpretation, and will include sessions by renowned guest lecturers. The onsite workshop will be held at the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum in Ayutthaya.
A highlight of this initiative is the introduction of new integrated interpretation models drawn from the book Reimagined Heritage Interpretation by Dr. Russel Staiff, presented by his former PhD student, Dr. Raveedaon Montien. Additionally, the program will feature the Asia debut of original interpretation tools developed by Dr Nuntamon Kutalad, offering participants exclusive access to these cutting-edge resources.
By equipping museum professionals with advanced strategies and practical tools, Interpretation for Tomorrow reinforces SEAMEO SPAFA’s commitment to fostering excellence in museum practices across Southeast Asia. This initiative not only addresses current capacity gaps but also lays a strong foundation for the region’s museums to flourish in an increasingly interconnected world.
SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SEAMEO SPAFA), in collaboration with:
- The Fine Arts Department, Thailand
- Bmuse Bangkok
- Empower participants with forward-thinking skills and innovative interpretive approaches and strategies.
- Strengthening regional museum interpretation standards and aligning them with global museum trends.
Interpretation for Tomorrow will be delivered through a combination of an online lecture series and an onsite workshop. The online lecture series, conducted through Zoom, will take place over four consecutive days. The maximum number of participants for the online lecture series will be limited to 80 people.
The onsite workshop, held at Chao Sam Phraya National Museum and the office of Ayutthaya Historical Park Office, aims to provide hands-on, immersive learning experiences, allowing participants to apply the theoretical knowledge gained from the lectures. The maximum number of participants for the onsite workshop will be limited to 30 people.
| Date/ Time | Activities |
| 4th June 2025 (6 – 9 PM, GMT +7) |
Online Lecture 1: Decode the DNA of Museum Interpretation
Explore the foundational principles and evolving theories that shape museum interpretation today. This session introduces key concepts, from Tilden’s guiding principles to the integration of Service Design Thinking in contemporary practice. Participants will examine both historical and contemporary perspectives, tracing the development of interpretive approaches from the 1990s to the present. The lecture will also unpack classic and modern museum theories, highlighting their significance and practical implications for creating meaningful interpretive experiences. |
| 5th June 2025 (6 – 9 PM, GMT +7) |
Online Lecture 2: Innovative Models in Museum Interpretation
This session focuses on cutting-edge models and tools designed to enhance visitor engagement. Participants will explore Dr. Russell Staiff’s Reimagining Heritage Interpretation and Dr. Nuntamon Kutalad’s Transformative Museum Exhibition Design Management Framework, analyzing how these approaches can be applied to develop inclusive, meaningful, and interactive interpretive practices in diverse museum contexts. |
| 6th June 2025 (6 – 9 PM, GMT +7) |
Online Lecture 3: Curating the City – Navigating Contested Histories in the Museum
Explore how museums can confront difficult histories and amplify diverse voices through interpretation. In this special guest lecture, Annemarie de Wildt, historian and senior curator at the Amsterdam Museum, shares insights from over three decades of curatorial work. Drawing on landmark exhibitions such as The Golden Coach, Love for Sale, and Graffiti, she reflects on the evolving role of city museums in addressing complex urban narratives, decolonizing heritage, and co-creating inclusive exhibitions in dialogue with communities. |
| 7th June 2025 (6 – 9 PM, GMT +7) |
Online Lecture 4: Global Trends and the Future of Interpretation
The lecture explores how museum interpretation is evolving in response to global challenges and opportunities. Through a lecture featuring selected international case studies, participants will examine emerging trends such as digital engagement, climate-responsive narratives, inclusive storytelling, and community-led interpretation. The session highlights key directions shaping the future of interpretation and offers insights into how museums can remain relevant, inclusive, and impactful in a rapidly changing world. |
| 17th – 19th June 2025 | Onsite Workshop @ Ayutthaya
The onsite workshop is designed to provide hands-on, immersive learning experiences that bring theory into practice. Held over three days at the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum, the participants will engage in practical activities, site visits, and collaborative exercises to deepen their understanding of museum interpretation. Participants will have the opportunity to apply Dr. Russell Staiff’s interpretive models through guided activities, as well as joining a mini-workshop on User Experience Journey Mapping to explore how visitor-centered thinking shapes interpretation planning. A highlight of the workshop is the Integration Lab: Co-Designing Interpretive Experiences, where participants will work in teams to develop interpretive proposals for fictional or real case studies. Using tools from design thinking and interpretation frameworks, they will craft approaches that consider audience needs, storytelling strategies, and content development. This onsite component aims to empower participants to return to their institutions with practical skills, applicable models, and fresh perspectives on creating meaningful and inclusive museum experiences. |
| 20th June 2025 | Site Visit at the Historic City of Ayutthaya, the World Heritage Property of Thailand |
Participants should:
1. preferably have three years of demonstrable experience in museum interpretation, encompassing one or more of the following areas:
i. Curation
ii. Exhibition Design
iii. Museum Education
iv. Museum/Heritage Professionals
2. have English proficiency to allow discussion, exchanges and presentations;
3. be in good health and be able to attend the full duration of the training programme;
4. submit all required documents by stated deadlines; and
5. be able to maintain engagement with the organiser after completing the programme (e.g. through alumni networks, sharing best practices, and the like).
REMARKS:
1) The online lecture series is open to museum professionals, museum enthusiasts, students, and anyone with a strong interest in museum interpretation.
2) Participants from beyond Southeast Asia will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Online Lecture Series: US $15 (THB 550) will be collected as registration fee.
Onsite Workshop: US $650 (THB 24,000)
The course fee covers local transportation (as applicable), accommodation (5 nights, twin sharing), lunch and refreshments (4 days), and site visit. Participants will be responsible for their round-trip travel costs to and from Ayutthaya, Thailand.
Participants are strongly encouraged to seek financial support from sources such as governmental institutions, employers, and funding agencies. They should also notify the organisers of any funding already secured or currently being applied for.
Please note that SEAMEO SPAFA will offer a scholarship to one participant from each SEAMEO member country (see https://www.seameo.org/Main_about/415), covering the course fee and travel costs.
Please fill out the application form from the following link: https://www.seameo-spafa.org/mu_ift2025/. If you are applying for the onsite workshop, ensure all required documents are attached. Please note that all documentation must be in English. Online participants are not required to submit the documents but should complete the application form at the aforementioned link.
1. Portrait photo (Formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, TIF, TIFF. File size limit: 3 MB)
2. Professional curriculum vitae (Formats: PDF, DOC, DOCX. File size limit: 5 MB)
3. Statement of Purpose (no more than 300 words)
– The statement of purpose is a mandatory and essential part of the application. Applicants should consider the following questions when writing their statements:
- What motivates you to apply?
- How do you envision this course will support your personal growth, professional development, or contribute to your organization or community?
We welcome your reflections on how this experience may help you deepen your practice, expand your perspective, or create a positive impact in your work or field.
4. Endorsement Letter (Optional). Official Endorsement is preferred for applicants from governmental organisations. (Formats: PDF, DOC, DOCX, JPG, JPEG, PNG, TIF, TIFF. File size limit: 5 MB)
– If you are applying as an independent participant, you are still welcome to submit your application without an endorsement letter. However, if you happen to have a recommendation or endorsement from a relevant organization or government body, you are encouraged to attach it as part of your application.
For further information regarding the course, please contact: Dr Hatthaya Siriphatthanakun, SEAMEO SPAFA Senior Specialist in Cultural Heritage Management and/or Ms Melody Tan, SEAMEO SPAFA Researcher via mu_ift2025@seameo-spafa.org.
Application Deadline
Applications should reach SEAMEO SPAFA by 16 April 2025. Only successful applicants will be notified by 30 April 2025.
Payment Method
Successful applicants will be notified to complete their payment at a later date.
For further information regarding the course, please contact: Dr Hatthaya Siriphatthanakun, SEAMEO SPAFA Senior Specialist in Cultural Heritage Management and/or Ms Melody Tan, SEAMEO SPAFA Researcher via mu_ift2025@seameo-spafa.org.
Application Deadline
Applications should reach SEAMEO SPAFA by 16 April 2025. Only successful applicants will be notified by 30 April 2025.
