#Expanding Collections
🗓️ Saturday, 6th of September, 11:00-17:00 (WEST)
####📍MILL - Makers in Little Lisbon, Lisbon ####👥 Up to 24 selected participants
Applications are now closed.
Are you interested in cultural data management, access and sustainability?
We are calling all creatives, museum professionals & technologists to apply and join us on a one-day hands-on collaborative session at the MILL - Makers in Little Lisbon!
Up to 24 participants from different backgrounds will be selected to join forces in our quest to find gaps within European museum collections. The aim is to collectively discuss the field's challenges and the potential of open data, contributing to the development of an independent data flagging system that aims to bridge further cross-sectoral collaborations.
Participation is free, on-site, and no collection management, programming or data engineering experience is needed! You just need to bring your own laptop and a thirst for making museum collections more transparent and inclusive.
Due to its international nature and data standards, this session will be held in English. Portuguese support will be provided.
#Programme Saturday, 6th of September
11:00 - 13:00 | Understanding Online Collections and Open Data platforms
In this brief introduction, collection specialist Lia Carreira and data engineer Daníel Eldjarn Vilhjalmsson will present the selection of online platforms and datasets we will be working on for this session. In cross-disciplinary teams, we will then explore the datasets from museum collections to identify and discuss possible blind spots.
Participants are invited to contribute to the discussion with their specialised knowledge and interests, guiding the design of our following strategy for tackling the identified field challenges.
13:20 - 14:00 | Lunch break
Drinks and snacks will be provided throughout the day.
14:00 - 17:00 | Hands-on gap finding!
Each team, guided by the session hosts, will then collaborate on outlining potential flagging methods by correlating different data search parameters previously explored. The aim is to come up with possible solutions for identified challenges, enriched by each participant's experience and field interests.
##> The challenge
Collection-based institutions have been implementing institutional strategies towards openness and transparency, biased awareness and criticality, and inclusivity and accessibility, particularly those with sensitive collections (e.g. colonial and/or looted assets and ethically restricted assets of violent acts and/or human remains) by calling for external collaborations with specialised researchers and creative practitioners (e.g. through open calls for research and/or creative explorations).
The problem lies in the current restricted availability and accessibility of the collections in question, which requires that the external proponent have prior knowledge of research gaps, and as such, they already have a privileged position within the knowledge system, perpetuating biases. Collaboration is, moreover, one-sided and set within existing systemic biases, as final decisions on what is relevant to tackle are made by institutions and within their limitations (physical/spatial challenges, but also political and economic restrictions).
An independent approach that can flag gaps and inconsistencies in available online data would help the field be able to revise its approaches and enable more accessible and richer collaborations between institutions, creative practitioners, and researchers.
##> The participants
The selected participants will be a balanced group from different disciplines, skills, and perspectives. The selection process will prioritise those who are interested in knowledge-sharing, cross-disciplinary collaborations, and who have a keen interest in making data more FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable).
You do not need to be an expert or have prior experience in collection management, programming or data engineering — we value different forms of knowledge and experience. The most important thing is your willingness to collaborate and engage deeply with the process.
Among the participants are*:
Anderson Pereira Antunes
Anderson is a Researcher at the Institute for Contemporary History of the University of Évora and IN2PAST - Associate Laboratory for Research and Innovation in Heritage, Arts, Sustainability and Territory, working on the FCT project Knowledge networks in 19th-century Africa: A Digital Humanities approach to colonial encounters and local knowledge in the narratives of Portuguese expeditions (1853-1888). Combines a bachelor’s in museum studies, a specialisation in science communication, and both a master’s and a PhD in the history of science. Anderson has worked in museums, both handling collections (cleaning, storing, and cataloguing them) and researching them. He is also very interested in science communication initiatives for non-academic audiences and has worked curating and writing for exhibitions, podcasts, and social media. His work has been published in articles and book chapters both in Latin America and Europe, as well as in international congresses, especially in the areas of Museum Studies, History of Science, Science Communication and Digital Humanities. https://www.cienciavitae.pt//en/B915-52CE-1F11
Carolina Serranito
Carolina began her studies in Painting, working mostly with installation and artistic cooperation between artist and public. Later, she specialised in Art Market and Collectionism, which led to her current experience with galleries, art fairs, curatorship and commercial dynamics. Her personal work is directly related to the art market and the professionalisation of artists, continuously searching for problems related to private and public art collections and the limitations of the artwork inside the spaces that host it.
Fil Pedroso
Fil Pedroso is a software engineer with experience in low-level UNIX systems, algorithms and back-end programming. Fil Pedroso started their career in the arts as a musician and filmmaker. They hold a Bachelor's degree in music from the Federal University of Minas Gerais and another in Film and Audiovisual by the Fluminense Federal University, and have worked as a director of photography for 10 years.
Jessica Nicole Connor
Jessica is an independent researcher, writer, curator, and museum consultant from the US, now living in Évora. She is interested in exploring how museums and historic sites use their resources, collections, and programming to support constituents' understanding of themselves and the world around them. As a museum consultant, Jessica provides custom staff training and audience engagement research and solutions to help better connect audiences with collections. https://www.jessicaconnor.me/
Keitty de Oliveira Silva
Keitty de Oliveira Silva is a Research Fellow at the University of Évora, engaged in the CULTIVAR and TRANSITION projects, which focus on sustainable development and cultural heritage preservation. She holds a Master’s in Management and Enhancement of Historical and Cultural Heritage (University of Évora/Portugal, 2025), complemented by an Erasmus+ term at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Her academic path also includes a Postgraduate degree in Museography and Cultural Heritage (Claretiano University Centre/Brazil, 2019) and a Bachelor’s in History – Memory and Image (Federal University of Paraná/Brazil, 2014). She has participated in several FCT- and EU-funded research projects, academic mobility programs, and international internships, including at the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (Spain). With experience in organising academic events and coordinating heritage laboratories, her research explores Cultural Heritage and Museology, focusing on the Digital Transformation of Museums and Digital Heritage, with further interests in Industrial and Underwater Heritage.
Maria Luisa Moita
Maria Luisa Moita is a PhD candidate in Sociomuseology at Universidade Lusófona, with the support of the UNESCO Chair "Education, Citizenship and Cultural Diversity." Affiliated with the Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Education and Development (CeiED), she holds a Master's degree in Museology from the same institution. She holds a Bachelor's degree in History from the Universidade de São Paulo, and her work examines museum narratives in order to promote historical and social justice. She has worked as a research assistant at the ANO Institute of Arts and Knowledge and has professional experience in Brazilian museums, such as the Pinacoteca de São Paulo and SESC, particularly in collections documentation and database management.
Vitória Capote
Vitória Capote is a museologist and PhD candidate in Architecture at Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Museum Studies from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Brazil; a Master's degree in Architecture and Urbanism from PósArq/UFSC; and an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree in Architecture, Landscape and Archaeology, funded by an Erasmus+ scholarship. Her research interests focus on the challenges of preserving and disseminating architectural collections in museums and architecture centres, considering both their physical and digital spaces. Her professional experience includes internships at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection (Venice, Italy), the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus (Greece), and the Victor Meirelles Museum – Brazilian Institute of Museums (Florianópolis, Brazil).
*Listed participants who consented to public sharing.
##> The outcome
This is, overall, an opportunity to: Network and gain knowledge with fellow peers and across different sectors; share know-how and contribute to initiatives with real societal impact, working towards making museum collections more transparent and inclusive; and strengthen collective efforts and existing networks of independent and EU cultural agents working towards data FAIRness.
##ABOUT
Creative FLIP's Cross Sectoral Pioneers Programme supports innovative projects through cross-disciplinary collaboration. 10 innovative pairs were selected from the Cultural and Creative Sectors (CCSI) and beyond to team up, create, and explore new possibilities together. The program aims to foster cross-sectoral collaboration, create tangible outputs, enhance peer learning and exchange, and promote innovation through creativity and AI.
Expanding Collections , a collaborative initiative by PdBA Lisboa (Portugal) and the Internet Teapot Studio (Netherlands), is an independent project and one of Creative FLIP's 10 pioneering projects, that seeks to develop a public-facing online platform designed to foster collaboration between EU-based collection institutions and international creative practitioners. Its goal is to support inclusivity-driven practices that transcend institutional constraints by offering a data flagging system that helps identify and prioritise critical issues for joint action. For the Creative FLIP programme, the activities will be conducted by PdBA curator Lia Carreira and data engineer Daníel Eldjarn Vilhjalmsson.
Lia Carreira (BR/PT) is a curator and collection-based researcher with a focus on Media Art practices and Digital Culture. She has a multidisciplinary background and diverse professional experience, including: a research track in Media, Art, Archival and Curatorial practices; a concomitant production experience in the Creative Industries; a background in data analysis, categorisation and visualisation, aligned with practical experiences with collection databases, asset handling, and documentation; and a foundation in art history. She is currently a PhD researcher at the University of Southampton (UK), has a first Master's in Media Technologies and Aesthetics (UFRJ, Brazil) and a second Master's in Media Arts Cultures (Danube University Krems, Aalborg University, and the City University of Hong Kong) with research on online platforms and experimental practices.
Daníel Eldjarn Vilhjalmsson (IS) is a project manager and data scientist with a background in software development and data search, processing and statistical analysis. He has a Bachelor's in Computer Science (Háskóli Íslands) and a Master of Science in Engineering (Aalborg University), where he met the Host’s researcher Lia Carreira. From their connection, they have previously collaborated on independent projects for the CCSI, in developing public activities (artistic residency and workshops) within the intersection of Art & Technology. He was also a Software Developer and Data Engineer at Statistics Iceland, the national statistics Institute. He also has a passion for the arts, with a focus on photography, and a track record of projects in Green Energy and Environmental Sciences.
Frequently Asked Questions
In what language will the event be held? Due to its international nature and data standards, this session will be held in English. Portuguese support will be provided.
I don't have a laptop, can I still participate? We kindly ask selected participants to bring their own laptop or similar device to participate in the activity. As this is a group hands-on activity, other forms of participation are possible. Please notify the PdBA team if you are unable to bring your own device so that we can plan the group dynamics accordingly.
I am not located in Portugal, can I still apply? Although preference will be given to those situated in Portugal, participants from outside the region are eligible to apply. However, do note that the event does not provide any financial, travel or visa support. We are, nevertheless, able to provide a letter of acceptance for those seeking travel support elsewhere.
Is the event location wheelchair accessible? MILL is situated at the Calçada do Moinho de Vento, 14B, almost at the top of the hill and its entrance has cobblestones and a couple of small steps. Assistance from the PdBA and the MILL team would be provided to facilitate the entrance of those with reduced mobility. Inside, MILL provides a spacious working environment. We kindly ask you to specify any needs when accepted to the programme. We will do our best to provide a welcoming and accessible environment!
Production: PdBA Lisboa
Funded by: Creative FLIP
For more information: [email protected]
##Location:
MILL - Makers in Little Lisbon
Calçada do Moinho de Vento, 14B, 1150-236 Lisboa
