2026 Study Tour: Berlin, Germany
The International Relations Committee (IRC) of ARLIS/NA is pleased to announce the 2026 Study Tour to Berlin, Germany.
About
Coordinated by the International Relations Committee (IRC), the 2026 ARLIS/NA Study Tour will provide participants with the opportunity to be immersed in diverse professional environments, broaden disciplinary expertise, foster cross-cultural understanding, and strengthen professional affiliations with international colleagues and host organizations in Berlin, Germany. A hallmark of IRC Study Tours is behind-the-scenes tours that offer special access to collections as well as generous hospitality by hosts, and this trip promises an abundance of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
The Study Tour will include visits to the Kunstbibliothek and the Staatsbibliothek, the Ibero-American Institute, the Bundesarchiv-Stasi-Unterlagen-Archiv (Stasi archive), the Deutsches Historisches Museum and the Berlin Wall memorial among others. The week-long program will end with a symposium around the theme “Collecting Cultural Heritage Today” at Kunsthaus Dahlem featuring a keynote speaker and presentations from Berlin and North American colleagues on contemporary collecting practice issues, methodologies, and experiences that strengthen our capacity to serve our communities through professional stewardship and information access.
The dates of the Study Tour are Monday, June 22 to Friday, June 26, 2026, with an optional day on Saturday, June 27th.
Itinerary
TBA in January 2026
Tour Information
Registration
An interest form will be distributed on ARLIS-L in early 2026. Registration will open in March 2026 and will be limited to 15 participants.
Deposit
A TBD (maximum $500) deposit will be used toward group activities and local group transportation during the trip.
Cancellation Policy
A full refund of the deposit will be made for cancellations received before April 1, 2026. Contact the ARLIS/NA office to request cancellation of your registration and a refund if cancelling prior to April 1, 2026.
Cancellations received on or after April 1 are generally not eligible for a refund. If someone on a waiting list can take the place of a cancellation requested after the deadline, the deposit will be refunded, minus a $50 processing fee. Requests for refunds after April 1 must be made in writing to Isotta Poggi.
Lodging
You are responsible for booking and paying for your own lodging. Please note that you should not book your lodging until you receive an email from the group leaders that the minimum number of participants (10) have been reached. A block of rooms are being held at the martas Hotel Berlin Mitte, an affordable hotel located between numerous galleries, charming cafes, and famous gourmet restaurants. Room prices are €99 (single room) and €119 (double room) per night.
Flight Arrangements
You are responsible for booking and paying for your own flight. Please note that you should not purchase your ticket(s) until you receive an email from the group leader that the minimum number of participants (10) have been reached. Be sure to schedule your arrival on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at the latest.
ARLIS/NA and the Study Tour organizers are not responsible for travel to and from the Study Tour site and therefore are not able to issue any refunds for travel for any reason.
Guidelines
A Study Tour is a great opportunity to visit colleagues, their collections, and tour relevant cultural institutions while representing ARLIS/NA and your home institution. Past tours include library visits, business meetings, collections presentations, and are often in conjunction with conferences, symposiums, or colloquiums. Applications for ARLIS/NA Study Tours will be accepted for current ARLIS/NA members working or currently seeking employment as arts information professionals. Spouses, partners, or friends of Study Tour participants are welcome to travel with participants, however inclusion in tour activities or special events is at the discretion of the hosts.
An agenda is constructed by the tour leader in conjunction with hosts in the chosen location. All items on the agenda are by formal invitation of the hosts and the following guidelines are recommended for all scheduled activities:
- Participants are expected to participate in the agenda provided by the host(s) and plan to visit local sites either before or after the Study Tour.
- Study Tour schedules often begin early in the morning and include multiple visits throughout the entire day. Sometimes meals are included or time is allotted for meals on one’s own. It is important that all participants arrive at designated meeting points on time in order to keep the schedule accurate for all our hosts.
- Participants should wear comfortable shoes for extensive walking and standing.
- Please refrain from separating from the group while in transit between tour locations.
- Our hosts often include their supervising directors, or other VIP administrators, in our meetings and tours.
- Please be prepared to participate in discussions related to the arts information profession and follow all security rules provided by the host institution when invited to examine collections.
- Not all items on the agenda will be of interest to everyone in a group, however our hosts will expect the entire group to participate and will plan activities based on our full number.
- If a participant is unable to attend a scheduled part of the agenda, it is advised that the tour leader be informed before the activity. Participants are also recommended to send a note of regret to the host.
Many countries and cultures that we visit are very generous with receptions and souvenir gifts. It is recommended that participants bring business cards, brochures, and/or small hostess gifts that represent their institution. Participants should also plan to send thank you notes or emails after the trip is complete.