From words to (aspirational) values: A collective trajectory of dialogue, tension and growth

From words to (aspirational) values

A collective trajectory of dialogue, tension and growth

M is evolving into a value-driven organization. This is an ambitious shift that demands more than mere words on paper. Over the past six months, Sigrid Bosmans (Director of Community Engagement) and Lore Boon (Policy and Strategy Officer) have guided all fifty-two employees through a collective journey. This led to the identification of four aspirational values that form the backbone of the organization.

“Values shape your strategy,” says Sigrid. “They determine what you do and how you do it, how you interact with others and with each other. The remarkable thing about a values-driven organization is that the search never ends. There is always dialogue.”

Lore adds: “Working on an organization is often presented as a linear process, as if you quickly travel from point A to point B. That idea is a trap. It’s an ongoing process, something to keep doing.”

From personal to collective

Values are empty words as long as they remain just words. They need to be embraced, discussed, and lived. That’s why Sigrid and Lore asked all colleagues to name five values they consider important for M. In carefully composed pairs – people who don’t often work together – conversations arose in which personal beliefs and organizational values clashed and merged. “Certain values are so deeply rooted that overlap naturally occurs,” Sigrid explains. That overlap was consolidated into six clusters. Even contradictions – between autonomy and collaboration, for instance, or between efficiency and effectiveness – were consciously given space, because healthy tension is where sustainable growth begins.

In roundtable discussions with colleagues from different teams, the value clusters were further explored and aligned with key themes, such as visual literacy or transhistoricity.

“As a moderator, I played a dual role,” says project coordinator Jolien De Nijs. “Facilitating the conversation while simultaneously contributing from my own expertise.”

Jobstudenten in M Leuven — Foto: Josefien Tondeleir voor M Leuven

From abstract to tangible

The challenge turned out to be translating the values into practice. “It’s too non-committal to simply name big themes,” says Sigrid. “We kept asking ourselves: what are we already doing with this today? And if we’re not doing it yet, how can we make it visible and tangible?”

That distinction proved tricky, Lore admits: “What are we now? What do we want to be? We had to constantly test the aspirational values against practice while remaining ambitious enough.”

Curator Valerie Verhack and Collaborator communication Dries Lievens summarize the essence: “It was valuable to pause together and reflect on what we, as a museum and arts centre, want to convey. The new values are the driving force behind not only the institution, but also each individual team member. Engaging in dialogue strengthens the sense of connection.”

A living story

The four aspirational values form the cornerstone for upcoming policy documents. “But we are also continuing to learn what they mean to us,” says Lore. In the museum kitchen, there’s a noticeboard with an invitation: who knows someone inspiring who is working with experimentation, with sustainability? In this way, the values continue to evolve.

“After that, we look outwards, beyond our walls. Do people recognize our values? And if not, do we double down on them, or decide that perhaps they don’t quite fit after all?” Sigrid wonders. One thing is certain: as the museum evolves, and the world we inhabit changes, the values will evolve with them.

Curious about our values?

Development and experimentation as drivers of transformation

In M’s research practices, development and experimentation are structurally embedded throughout the organization. We support artistic research, in-depth exploration and interdisciplinary thinking, and we create space for reflection and imagination across all aspects of our heritage and arts work.

Development takes place through dialogue with artists, researchers, staff, audiences, and partners. This dialogue recognizes daring, failure, and rethinking as valuable parts of the process. M functions as both a laboratory and a facilitator for initiatives that contribute to artistic and social innovation.

We apply this focus on innovation across our entire value chain, including the development and design of our organizational structure and workspaces.

Care as a way of working, commitment as the driving force

At M, care is a core value that extends across collection management, artistic production, and our internal organizational culture. We not only uphold high standards in our essential heritage and arts work, but also continue to provide high-quality responses to societal challenges.

Our staff build long-term partnerships based on trust, cooperation and respect with artists, researchers, fellow citizens, financial partners, and stakeholders.

As a key player in the arts and heritage sector, we aim to base our programming decisions on a commitment to social engagement. These decisions are embedded in an approach that focuses on deepening understanding and active listening.

Genuine hospitality for a polyphony of perspectives

At M, we actively create space for different voices, stories and perspectives. For us, accessibility means there are no barriers.

This consistent approach is reflected in our language, our pricing, our spaces and our relationships. ‘Polyphony’ is not just a buzzword, but both the starting point and the ultimate goal of M’s programming, collection policy and public activities.

We develop, research and produce in collaboration with artists and communities, rooted locally yet connected internationally. M is a space for cross-pollination, where there is always room for those who are still underrepresented.

What we exhibit and do stems from dialogue with the city, the world, and the times in which we live. In this way, we are building a relevant, open and forward-looking museum and arts programme, with a memory that evolves, challenges and holds meaning for many.

Think sustainably, act sustainably

M places sustainability at the heart of its operations, both as a vision and in practice. As an institution that manages a collection, We take responsibility for the long-term care of works, as well as for how they are given meaning or reinterpreted.

We focus on sustainable initiatives and partnerships that are centred not only on presentation and participation, but also on creation, research and tailored support. We actively explore and utilize environmentally responsible materials, energy-efficient measures, and circular exhibition practices.

M is also building an internal organization that prioritizes well-being, feasibility and shared commitment. A sustainable approach therefore guides not only what we present, but also how we collaborate, develop and care.