“To secure the quality of museum work in the long run, and even more importantly in times of economic crisis, we should focus on networking and cooperations.”

Alexander von Vegesack, Director of Vitra Design Museum

Acting on this conviction, the Vitra Design Museum initiated the European Museum Network Conference called MUSCON back in 1996. This annual conference offers a unique platform for museums with a focus on design, architecture and contemporary art.

In order to promote the exchange between European, American and Asian cultural institutions, Vitra Design Museum initiated the first American MUSCON in 2007 followed by the first Asian MUSCON in 2008.

Thanks to the generous support of our hosting partners, more than 100 institutions have joined together and remained in contact throughout the years. From among the participants (e.g. Victoria and Albert Museum, Centre Georges Pompidou, Stedelijk Museum, Museum of Modern Art New York, Wolfsonian FIU, Metropolitan Museum of Art and Walker Art Center, Melbourne Museum, National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai) each year a different host steps forward to put on the event, taking the opportunity to present their institution as well as the local context. The American MUSCON is co-organized and hosted by Design Miami and the Wolfsonian FIU.

MUSCON Asia in Taipei:

This year's Asian MUSCON took place in Taipei,  October 6th-9th, 2011, organised together with Taipei Fine Arts Museum and the Department of Cultural Affairs Taipei City Government.

• Please click here for further information about the Asian MUSCON 2011 in Taipei

European MUSCON in Lisbon:

Oct. 19th–22nd, 2011. In 2011, the European MUSCON was co-organized and hosted by the MUDE - Museu do Design e da Moda, Lisbon.
 

• Please click here for further information about the European MUSCON 2011 in Lisbon

American MUSCON in Miami Beach:

Nov. 28th - 30th, 2011: Evening welcome event plus a one-day conference in conjunction with Design Miami and Art Basel Miami Beach. The American MUSCON was co-organized and hosted by Design Miami and the Wolfsonian FIU.

• Please click here for further information about the American MUSCON in Miami

Previous MUSCONs: