The 21st century museums are no longer merely preservers, but also experts, partners, enablers, and agents in the experience industry. Their changing operational environment challenges museums to scrutinize and outline their functions and adopt new strategic approaches to enhance their viability and impact.

The Helsinki University Museum is currently undertaking a development project that aims to renew the museum’s exhibitions, but also its mission, vision, concept, and profile. A key outcome is to find new means of communicating university heritage and the history of Finnish research to a broader audience by combining the interdisciplinary content and services of three sites: the permanent and temporary exhibitions in the University Main Building, the Helsinki Observatory and the Art Room. This presentation portrays a university museum’s endeavour to create a dynamic museum concept and become a proactive and identifiable actor within the academic community and society.