Could one code of ethics be relevant to all art institutions within CIMAM?

There is a wide diversity in funding and governance structures among museums of modern and contemporary art today. Socio-economic, political and cultural conditions vary across the world, and the question is if and how one code of ethics could be relevant to all the disparate art institutions within CIMAM. In an age of mixed economies, with strong political forces of all kinds, and constantly changing social environments, the ethical dimension tends to be disregarded.

What is funded and where does funding come from? The interests that shape our society are multifaceted, and it is not always obvious which resources could be rewarding for a non for profit organisation and which would hollow it out in the long run. This uncertainty can be an ethical challenge to a museum, when

values are questioned and rearticulated in a perpetually changing society. Indeed, the cultural landscape of today presents new challenges for art institutions that want to remain meaningful to artists and critical audiences and operate in ways that do not simply pander to the demands of tourism and commerce.

How can art institutions navigate this age of mixed economy and still maintain their ethical positions? When standards of integrity are questioned daily, how can we as members of CIMAM revitalise the arguments for standing by the museum’s core values?