Preparing Museums for a Crisis: Lessons from Ukraine

Join The Peale for a virtual panel discussion featuring international cultural professionals discussing the vital practice of preserving cultural heritage.

Panelists include Milena Chorna, co-founder and head of Association of Ukrainian Museums, former Ukraine Vice-Minister of Culture and museum expert Kateryna Chuyeva, Director of the Odesa National Fine Arts Museum Kateryna Kulai, Director general of the Maidan museum and co-founder of HERI and ACURE Ihor Pashyvailo, and Strategic Advisor for the Dutch Museum and cultural heritage sector Arnoud Odding. Glen Davis, retired Foerign Service Officer of the U.S. Department of State, will be moderating this discussion.

This discussion aims to provide understanding of the destruction of Ukrainian cultural heritage by Russia and the steps taken by Ukrainians and the international community to protect it, learn from the responses of Ukrainians how to prepare museums anywhere for possible future crises, and encourage partnerships between American and Ukrainian institutions to support cultural heritage workers and share best practices.

This event is hosted by The Peale, a community museum located in Baltimore, MD USA, in collaboration with Baltimore Sister Cities (Odesa and Rotterdam Sister City Committees). This event is held in conjunction with the We Know Who They Are: Artworks and Narrative From the Invasion of Ukraine exhibition on display July 31 – October 2, 2026 at The Peale