Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Course · 300 h · 5 modules
Course on the Management of Small Maritime Museums
This course provides you with the essential tools to revitalize and optimize your museum's administration. Learn to connect with your community, attract visitors, and maximize your resources with innovative and practical…
Duration300 h
FormatOnline
Starts23 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Course on the Management of Small Maritime Museums?
The Small Maritime Museum Management Course
This course provides you with the essential tools to revitalize and optimize your museum's administration. Learn to connect with your community, attract visitors, and maximize your resources with innovative and practical strategies. From collection curation to digital marketing, this course will equip you to transform your museum into a dynamic and relevant cultural center.
Differentiating Advantages
- Real-world case studies: Learn from the successes and challenges of other small maritime museums.
- Practical tools: Downloadable templates and guides for immediate implementation.
- Industry experts: Access to professionals with experience in maritime museum management.
- Networking: Connect with other professionals and share ideas and experiences.
- Flexibility: Self-paced online course, accessible from any device.
Programme type
Course
Study mode
Online
Duration
300 hours
Modules
5
Start date
10-12-2026
Programme highlights
- Fundamentals: Master the keys to managing small-scale maritime museums.
- Collections: Learn to catalog, conserve, and exhibit nautical artifacts and documents.
- Narrative: Build captivating and engaging marine stories for visitors.
- Marketing: Boost your museum with effective digital and traditional strategies.
- Sustainability: Ensure the economic viability and social impact of your institution.
- Transform your passion for the sea into a successful cultural project.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 5 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Fundamentals of Maritime Museum Management, Naval Heritage and Institutional Mission
- Concept of small maritime museum and differences between local museum, interpretation centre, private collection and community cultural space
- Material and intangible maritime heritage: boats, instruments, documents, trades, memories, routes, traditions and port culture
- Mission, vision, values, target audience and cultural positioning of the Maritime Museum
- Relationship between museum, coastal community, nautical sector, tourism, education, research and heritage conservation
- Challenges of small museums: limited budget, low workforce, basic conservation, visibility, volunteering and operational sustainability
02
Collections, Preventive Conservation, Inventory and Documentation of Maritime Heritage
- Typologies of maritime collections: models, nautical charts, photographs, tools, naval parts, uniforms, engines, networks and testimonies
- Inventory, catalogueing, data sheets, photographic record, provenance, conservation status and traceability
- Preventive conservation against moisture, salinity, corrosion, light, dust, pests, handling and deterioration of materials
- Storage, packaging, basic cleaning, environmental control and safety criteria for sensitive parts
- Digitization of archives, photographs, plans, oral documents and historical materials of the maritime environment
03
Expository design, museographic narrative and visitor experience
- Fundamentals of museography and differences between permanent, temporary, itinerant, thematic and interactive exhibition
- Construction of expository accounts on navigation, fishing, shipyards, maritime trade, shipwrecks, ports and coastal life
- Organisation of rooms, tours, showcases, panels, lighting, signage, audiovisuals and interactive elements
- Patrimonial interpretation through clear texts, significant objects, human histories and connection to the territory
- Basic accessibility, inclusion, easy reading, adapted tours and attention to different visitor profiles
04
Education, cultural mediation, activities and relationship with the maritime community
- Design of guided tours, school workshops, heritage routes, talks, demonstrations and family activities
- Cultural mediation to explain maritime heritage to children, adults, tourists, researchers and local community
- Participation of fishermen, sailors, riverside carpenters, sailors, associations, volunteers and community oral memory
- Educational programmes on naval history, marine sustainability, traditional trades, maritime security and coastal culture
- Alliances with schools, universities, ports, nautical clubs, archives, libraries, municipalities and tourism entities
05
Applied project of management of a small maritime museum
- Case definition: Local Museum, Maritime Collection, Interpretation Centre, Patrimonial Room or Coastal Cultural Space
- Diagnosis of collection, public, resources, facilities, community, communication and conservation needs
- Design of the museographic plan with story, exhibition, tour, key pieces, accessibility and visitor experience
- Preparation of the educational program, community activities, alliances and local participation strategy
- Development of the operational plan, financing, communication, indicators and annual sustainability of the museum
Workload
Study Time and Workload
300 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Directors and staff of small maritime museums seeking to optimize collections management, exhibition planning, and fundraising.Students and recent graduates in museology, maritime history, or cultural management wishing to acquire practical tools for their professional development in the sector.Volunteers and members of friends of maritime museums associations seeking to enhance their skills a
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
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Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Interpreting and disseminating local maritime heritage
- 02To effectively manage museum resources for their sustainability
- 03Develop attractive and relevant exhibitions for the community
- 04Encourage community participation in the conservation of maritime heritage
- 05Cataloging and preserving the museum's collection professionally
- 06Implement digital marketing strategies to increase the museum's visibility
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Collections Manager: cataloging, conservation, and exhibition of maritime objects.
02Educator/Cultural Facilitator: design and implementation of educational programs and activities for visitors.
03Exhibitions Technician: assembly, design, and maintenance of temporary and permanent exhibitions.
04Communications and Marketing Manager: museum promotion, social media management, and public relations.
05Specialized Tour Guide: leading guided tours and promoting maritime heritage.
06Cultural Project Manager: fundraising, proposal development, and project coordination.
07Conservator/Restorer: treatment and preservation of historical objects and documents related to the sea.
08Administrative Officer/Administrative Manager: resource management Human resources, accounting, and general administrative tasks.
09Maritime Researcher/Historian: study and documentation of local and regional maritime history.
Questions
Entry Requirements
Balancing the preservation of collections and research with the need to attract visitors and generate sufficient income to operate sustainably with limited resources.
Yes. The itinerary includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with harbor, ocean, fog, storm, and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/practical placements through agreements.
Preventive conservation, due to unstable environments (humidity, temperature, salinity) and the lack of space and infrastructure for the proper storage of bulky objects such as boats, rigging or nautical instruments.
Recommended functional SMCP. We offer support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a relevant degree or experience in maritime/port operations. The admissions interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Collaborations and the Alumni Network.
Simulator practice (rubrics), defeat plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and applied TFM.
A degree from Navalis Magna Institute + operational portfolio (tracks, SOPs, reports and KPIs) useful for audits and employment.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Academic/Professional Profile:Bachelor's/Undergraduate Degree in Art History, Museology, History, Anthropology, or a related field; or accredited professional experience in cultural management, maritime heritage, or museum studies.Specific Knowledge:Knowledge of maritime history, naval heritage, conservation techniques, and museography.Skills:Project management skills, communication skills, teamwork skills, and customer service skills.Documentation:Updated CV, copy of degree, ID/Passport, cover letter, and any other relevant certifications.Interests:Genuine interest in
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