Program

The expansion of museum collections through private philanthropy is one of the most promising yet least systematically explored practices in the Russian art market. Cosmoscow has developed unique expertise in this area through the Museum of the Year Award and its work with cultural institutions. In 2026, the Association of Galleries is launching systematic research aimed at developing a culture of collecting and building bridges of cooperation with museum institutions.

The revival of traditional crafts is important for the state, as they protect cultural identity, strengthen the economy through the development of tourism and small businesses, and pass unique traditional skills on to new generations. Today, experts consider the revival of traditional crafts a resource for the innovative development of tourism, culture and education, as well as for accumulating symbolic capital and creating a holistic and aesthetically shaped picture of the world.

Can Russian contemporary art be considered an investment at all? Why is a Russian artist often worth many times less than a comparable Western artist—is the artist undervalued, or simply worth that much? What needs to happen for an artist’s price to increase? And most importantly, if the price does go up, who will buy the work afterwards?

The discussion explores how contemporary art engages with the past and tradition—not only by preserving cultural heritage, but also by transforming it into a source of new meanings and ideas. The participants will discuss where the boundary lies between preservation and reinterpretation, artistic and scholarly approaches, and how these themes are reflected in the works of artists presented at Cosmoscow.

Collectible design evolves alongside changing perceptions of the object, space, and ways of interacting with objects. What themes and approaches are shaping the direction today?

Why do entrepreneurs start investing in art? How does collecting become part of personal and corporate strategy?

How are relationships built between contemporary artists and local craft communities? Who owns the rights to the resulting works: the “artist” or the artisan who executes them? These and many other questions surrounding co-creation and (self-)positioning will be at the heart of the discussion.

Design today means much more than applied solutions. It is the materialization of expectations that reflect—and sometimes anticipate—structural changes in society. In this discussion about the future, experts will share their thoughts and predictions on how we can look towards the future of design with optimism.

View the schedule of creative workshops