The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA) is proud to announce its inclusion as a partner residency institution in the 2026 cohort of TheMuseumsLab, a leading initiative fostering collaboration, exchange, and professional development among museums across Africa and Europe. Themed “Building Futures from Memory: Museums and Memorial Sites as Agents”, TheMuseumsLab 2026 will focus on transforming museums into spaces of dialogue and social change by fostering community engagement, justice, and reconciliation. The programme is jointly organized by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) and the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, with funding from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) and the Federal Foreign Office of Germany.
Selected as one of 66 partner museums for this year’s edition, YSMA’s entry into this distinguished network marks a significant milestone—not only for the institution but also for Nigeria’s museum landscape. Notably, YSMA becomes the first Nigerian university art museum to join this influential Afro-European platform.
As part of this partnership, YSMA will host its first-ever international residency programme in September 2026, welcoming two museum professionals, from Uganda and the UK. The residency will serve as a dynamic space for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and cross-cultural dialogue, reinforcing the museum’s commitment to education, public engagement, and the advancement of museum practice.
This development aligns closely with YSMA’s mission as an educational museum at the forefront of fostering critical inquiry, creative exploration, and inclusive access to art and culture. By joining TheMuseumsLab network, the museum expands its role as a hub for intellectual exchange and professional training, while strengthening its position within the global museum ecosystem.
Speaking on the significance of this achievement, Jess Castellote, the Museum Director of YSMA stated:
“Joining TheMuseumsLab network is a great moment for us. It affirms our commitment to positioning YSMA not just as a repository of art, but as a living institution dedicated to learning, dialogue, and exchange. Hosting a residency of this nature allows us to contribute meaningfully to the development of museum professionals across continents, while also bringing global perspectives into our local context. It is an opportunity to deepen our impact as an educational museum and to amplify African voices within international museum conversations.”
Also commenting on the partnership, Solveig Rietschel, Head of TheMuseumsLab, welcomed YSMA into the network:
“We are delighted to welcome YSMA to our growing network of partner institutions. YSMA’s work reflects a thoughtful and forward-looking approach to the role of cultural institutions in society, with a strong emphasis on education, community engagement, and innovative programming. We are very excited about their upcoming residency, which will provide a vital platform for exchange between African and European professionals. Partnerships like this are at the heart of TheMuseumsLab mission to build sustainable, collaborative futures for museums across both continents.”
YSMA’s inclusion in this network underscores its growing influence as a key player in Africa’s cultural and educational landscape. Over the years, the museum has distinguished itself through its robust programming, exhibition initiatives, and commitment to bridging academic and public audiences.
By participating in this Afro-European network, YSMA not only elevates its global visibility but also contributes to shaping new narratives around African art, heritage, and museology. The residency programme, in particular, is expected to catalyze new ideas, partnerships, and practices that will resonate far beyond the museum’s walls.
As YSMA continues to expand its reach and deepen its impact, this collaboration with TheMuseumsLab signals a bold step forward—one that reinforces its role as a leading institution for knowledge production, cultural exchange, and the future of museum practice in Africa and beyond.