Art Summit 2026 Conference Agenda
Innovation & Transformation in the Digital Age

09:15 – 10:00

Keynote Speech

Culture, Capital and Technology in Transition

Policy, Institutions and Innovation

Session 1: 10:00 - 11:30

This session explores the impact of European Union and national policies and developments in the vital areas of art, culture and archaeology. This session will explore how European Union cultural policy is adapting to digital creation, distribution, and preservation, as well as the tension between cultural protection, urban development and innovation. We will examine case studies from museums, archives, and cultural bodies facing pressures to evolve and modernize in the age of mass tourism, technology and challenging state budgets. The discussion will also include EU and international cooperation in culture and archaeology as well as cultural diplomacy and soft power in Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Four speakers will explore their respective areas of expertise and then convene for a 30-minute moderated panel.

Moderator

Speaker 1

Speaker 2

Speaker 3

Speaker 4

Morning Coffee Break

11:30 – 12:00

New Horizons in Digital Art and Artificial Intelligence

Session 2: 12:00 - 13:30

The objective of this panel is to examine how digital tools and AI are reshaping creation, curation, preservation, and audience engagement, and where the real limits are. The panel participants will focus on digital creation and new artistic practices, including AI-assisted creation, generative tools and hybrid human-machine workflows. The subject of AI and its impact in cultural heritage and archaeology will be presented, including in digitization of archives, collections and excavation data. The subject of skills gaps and future organizational models in museums, galleries and artistic creation will also be reviewed.

Four speakers will explore their respective areas of expertise and then convene for a 30-minute moderated panel.

Moderator

Speaker 1

Speaker 2

Speaker 3

Speaker 4

Lunch Break

13:30 – 14:30

Economics and Investment

Session 3: 14:30 – 16:00

This session examines the economic foundations of art, culture, and heritage in a changing global environment. Discussions focus on sustainable revenue models for artists, galleries, and cultural institutions; the role of data, audience development, and customer relationship management in building long-term value; the interaction between cultural activity, tourism, and destination branding; and emerging investment and financing models, including public–private partnerships, philanthropy, and impact-driven capital. The session addresses how cultural ecosystems can move beyond dependency on subsidies toward resilient, economically viable structures.

Four speakers will explore their respective areas of expertise and then convene for a 30-minute moderated panel.

Moderator

Speaker 1

Speaker 2

Speaker 3

Speaker 4