CIMAM Board Elections Guidelines 2026-28

Grafica Board Elections 2026-2028

Read carefully CIMAM’s Board Elections Guidelines before applying.

Nominations are welcomed from April 8 to August 24, 2025.

→ Log in to the Members Only section to fill in the Nomination Form.

Table of Contents

  1. Stand for election to the CIMAM Board
  2. Why join the CIMAM Board?
  3. Definition and Composition of the CIMAM Board
  4. Responsibilities of the CIMAM Board
    1. The CIMAM Board's tasks and Powers
    2. The CIMAM President and Secretary-General’s tasks and Powers
  5. Nominations and Eligibility
  6. Right to Re-election
  7. Right to Vote
  8. Voting Format
  9. Announcement of the Election Results
  10. Election of the President
  11. Election of the Secretary-General
  12. Elections Calendar
  13. Nomination Form

1) Stand for election to the CIMAM Board

The CIMAM Board is an active and dynamic group of 15 modern and contemporary art museum directors, and professionals holding leadership positions in museums and collections, that serve voluntarily to represent and advance the interests of CIMAM, the International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art, an Affiliated Organization of ICOM (International Council of Museums) with over 900 modern and contemporary art museum professionals from 85 countries.

Nominations are welcomed from April 8 to August 24, 2025 at 23:00 hrs. CEST.

2) Why join the CIMAM Board?

Serving on the CIMAM Board is an opportunity to influence the future of the sector and contribute to CIMAM's mission of fostering communication, innovation, collaboration and knowledge sharing among museums, non-profit collections, artists and museum professionals. Board members play a crucial role in upholding ethical principles aligned with the ICOM and CIMAM Codes of Ethics, ensuring that the organization continues to expand its global network, impact, and programs.

CIMAM Board members receive prominent international visibility during their tenure while expanding contacts among our global community of contemporary art professionals.

3) Definition and Composition of the CIMAM Board

Every 3 years, CIMAM members vote for their representatives and constitute the Board of Directors. The CIMAM Board is structured to ensure strong leadership and strategic decision-making.

The mandate of the new Board starts at the General Assembly which will be held on November 30, 2025, and will last until the General Assembly in November 2028.

All members of the Board provide their services on a voluntary basis.

In accordance with Part lV, Article 13 of the CIMAM Bylaws, CIMAM will be managed and represented by a Board of Directors consisting of a President, a Secretary-General, and at least 10 other members elected by members of CIMAM. The number of Board members will not exceed 15.

The composition of the CIMAM Board should aim to reflect the cultural diversity and global spirit of the organization.

The composition of the Board follows a framework where 80% of its members hold leadership positions in modern and contemporary art museums. This is focused first and foremost on directors, but it may also include chief curators. To ensure clarity, the list of candidates will be divided into two groups: directors and other leadership positions in museums, such as chief curators and artistic directors, and other candidates. The remaining 20% of the Board may comprise professionals with complementary expertise or professionals who have been in leadership positions but are not at that point in time.

To secure a composition of the Board according to the bylaws, the 12 first-ranked candidates will be in leadership positions, after that, the 3 highest-ranked candidates remain.

No more than 2 members from a country can sit on the Board at any one time to ensure adequate geographical representation amongst it and for other strategic reasons.

If two or more candidates have obtained the same number of votes, the candidates with the oldest membership with CIMAM shall be deemed to have been chosen.

The candidates, if elected, agree to fully assume their duties, responsibilities, and functions, as set out in the CIMAM bylaws and regulatory texts, for the entire duration of their term of office, as well as to abide by the standards of good conduct and good governance practice.

Check the policy of Board vacancies at CIMAM bylaws PART lV, Board of Directors, Article 13, Point 5.

4) Responsibilities of the CIMAM Board

The President, the Secretary-General, and members of the Board of CIMAM work on a volunteer basis throughout the three-year term. They oversee the everyday operations and projects of CIMAM.

The President and Secretary-General are the busiest Board members. The average estimated voluntary hours spent by Board Members on CIMAM programs in 2023-25 was 2 to 3 hours a week/each. It varies depending on the timing of each project and working group. For example, the Museum Watch Committee meets on Fridays for 30 minutes; the Contents Committee’s busiest months are from January to March and in November; and CIMAM’s Travel Grant Program peak time is during the fundraising period from January to March, and the Selection Period during two weeks in June.

a) The CIMAM Board's tasks and powers

The Board plays a vital leadership role in supporting the mission of CIMAM to ensure the continued recognition and sustainability of museums, collections, and archives of modern and contemporary art as contributors to the cultural, social, and economic well-being of society.

  • Smooth internal communication: The members of the Board of CIMAM are in constant contact throughout the year through e-mail conversations that are coordinated by the executive team of CIMAM. Replying to Board and office emails in due time is essential to keeping up with the pace of work.
  • Board meetings: Elected Board members should actively participate in Board meetings onsite or online (the Board meets three times a year) and contribute to the growth and expansion of CIMAM by making decisions and advising on strategies and directions. The Board meets three times a year in person; one of them takes place in Barcelona, where the CIMAM executive office is located.
  • Fundraising and Membership Ambassadors: Board members are key figures in identifying and securing at least 2 Patrons during the three-year term while promoting the mission of CIMAM by attracting new Institutional and Individual members.
  • CIMAM’s Annual Conference: The Board is expected to attend CIMAM’s Annual Conferences and take part in its activities when required such as moderating a panel or workshop. The Board is responsible for evaluating the proposals submitted by candidates to host CIMAM’s most important event, and selecting the upcoming conference destinations, according to key principles such as financial feasibility, sustainability, geographic rotation and accessibility, institutional capacity, and alignment with CIMAM’s mission, diversity, equity and inclusion and logistics and infrastructure.
  • Representative tasks: Board members are expected to lead, organize, and take part in CIMAM programs, as well as communication initiatives such as interviews with media and promotional materials about a program. All members of the Board are expected to act as CIMAM ambassadors and actively recruit new institutional and individual members during their three-year tenure. During their tenure, Board members add to their biographies their position as CIMAM Board members and seek opportunities to present and share the role of CIMAM.
  • Working groups: During their tenure, CIMAM Board members are expected to actively contribute to practical and strategic working groups (at least two or three) that look to ensure global participation and perspective, acknowledge visionary practices, and address some of the more urgent challenges facing modern and contemporary museums today.

Attendance and engagement in CIMAM’s working groups are essential for effective governance and the successful implementation of CIMAM’s strategic initiatives. Board members are expected to contribute their expertise, collaborate with peers, and uphold the organization’s mission throughout their term.

Each working group designates a Chair from among its members to report at each Board meeting on the progress made in fulfilling its mandate. Working groups may be created to respond to specific temporary projects such as CIMAM’s 60th Anniversary Project in the term 2020-22.

Current CIMAM working groups are the Outstanding Museum Practice Award, the Sustainability and Ecology in Museum Practice, the Museum Watch Program, the CIMAM’s Annual Conference Contents Committee, the Rapid Response Webinars, and the Travel Grant Program. Please refer to the CIMAM Working Groups for a full description of each working group.

b) The CIMAM President and Secretary-General’s tasks and powers

Following Part lV, Article 13 of the CIMAM Bylaws, the President's duties are to represent CIMAM in all kinds of public or private bodies; call, preside, close and direct the proceedings of General Assemblies and Board meetings; order payments and authorize documents, minutes and correspondence by signing; adopt any urgent measure for the proper operation of CIMAM and advise on the progress of its activities if required or desirable, without prejudice to subsequent accounting to the Board.

  • The president of CIMAM plays an essential role in providing inspiration and leadership, overseeing operations, and ensuring the organization fulfills its mission. The President fosters collaborations with stakeholders and guides strategic planning. The President supports fundraising efforts and ensures compliance with legal and financial responsibilities.
  • The President proposes meeting dates and locations for the three annual Board Meetings when most of the Board members can be present and facilitates as much as possible the in-kind support to host the Board meetings.
  • The President and Secretary-General are required to be ICOM Members.
  • The President will hold an in-person meeting with the ICOM President once a year and attend the ICOM Advisory and Executive Councils (annually), the ICOM General Meetings (triennially), and other calls for Affiliated Organizations in the representation of CIMAM. The Secretary-General and other members of the Board are encouraged to join as well.
  • The President and Secretary-General actively identify and attract the support of Patrons and Travel Grant Funders while promoting the mission of CIMAM by attracting new Institutional and Individual members.
  • The President should be available to meet online and travel (if necessary) to support fundraising efforts by Annual Conference Hosts.
  • The President and Secretary-General hold regular meetings with the director of CIMAM’s executive office (every two weeks in the case of the President).

Working closely with the CIMAM executive director, the Secretary-General gives support in formulating the balance sheets, overviewing the general budget, and presenting the financial statements at the General Assembly. The Secretary-General and the executive office oversee the minutes of General Assemblies and Board meetings; maintain legally established Association books and the associates' file and keep the documentation of the Organization; facilitate communication regarding Board appointments and other registrable company agreements to the corresponding Registries, as well as fulfills the documentary obligations in accordance with the law; collects and keeps the funds of the Association and complying with payment orders issued by the President.

5) Nominations and Eligibility

Individual Members of CIMAM* who are active museum professionals or former museum professionals (with at least 5 years of a museological career) are eligible for election to the Board. The composition of the Board follows a framework where 80% of its members hold leadership positions, including museum directors, chief curators, or other senior-level professionals within the museum.

*Individual Members are those who have paid their 2023–25 CIMAM membership fee. Beneficiaries of Institutional Membership will need to apply to become Individual members.

Candidates must have read and agreed to the Declaration of knowledge, conformity, commitment, and confirmation of compliance with CIMAM's internal regulations: CIMAM’s Code of Ethics and CIMAM bylaws, and with the ICOM’s Code of Ethics, and the CIMAM Ethical Clauses of Governance.

CIMAM’s Code of Ethics includes a Policy of Conflict of Interests, Money Laundry Prevention, Prevention of Harassment, Sexual Aggression, or Discriminatory Acts, and a Policy for Digital Disconnection.

Nominations can be submitted until 24 August 2025. The Nomination form and the submitted nominations will be available to CIMAM Members in the Members Only section.

6) Right to Re-election

Board members may be on the Board for no more than 9 years without interruption. The President and Secretary-General cannot be re-elected for more than a total of 6 years.

Members of the CIMAM Board 2023-25 who wish to stand for re-election will inform the CIMAM office of their intention and submit a new nomination to be among the list of candidates.

7) Right to Vote

All CIMAM members (both Individuals and beneficiaries of Institutional Membership who have paid their 2023–25 fees) have the right to vote in the elections to the Board within the voting period stated by CIMAM.

8) Voting Format

The election process will be conducted exclusively online, allowing for secure, transparent, and efficient voting. The online format ensures accessibility for all eligible members, regardless of geographical location, and upholds the integrity of the voting process. Detailed instructions and timelines will be communicated in advance to ensure smooth participation.

9) Announcement of the Election Results

The new CIMAM Board for the period 2026-28 will be announced at the General Assembly that will take place on Sunday, 30 November, during the CIMAM 2025 Annual Conference in Turin, Italy.

Following the voting period, the results of the elections will be shared by Friday 3, October 2025, exclusively with the candidates, elected and non-elected, who have submitted their nomination to join the CIMAM Board.

The results will not be publicly disclosed to the general CIMAM membership to maintain confidentiality and professionalism within the organization. This practice ensures a smooth transition and alignment among newly elected members before broader communication is made.

10) Election of the President

The President is selected at a meeting of both the outgoing and incoming Board members. This structured process maintains fairness and transparency. Each of the incoming Board members can candidate for the President position. If there are several candidates for this position, they should present their strategic plan before the outgoing and incoming Board Members to outline their vision and priorities for CIMAM. Candidates may be proposed by others, or self-nominated, during the meeting and discussion. Candidates must confirm their acceptance, and any nominated candidate must leave the room for the discussion and vote.

After delivering their proposals, they will be required to leave the room to allow the remaining Board members present online and onsite to deliberate freely and cast their votes. This approach ensures an impartial discussion and a decision based solely on the merit of the candidate’s proposals.

The election process will be conducted exclusively online, allowing for secure, transparent, and efficient voting. The results of the election will be announced immediately once the candidates are back in the meeting room.

This meeting will take place at the CIMAM 2025 Annual Conference on Saturday, 29 November, in Turin, Italy.

11) Election of the Secretary-General

The election of the Secretary-General shall be based on the recommendation of the President, who shall invite the Board member he/she/they considers the best candidate to work closely with for the next three years. This process and decision will take place during the same meeting in which the President is elected.

12) Elections Calendar

  • Period to Submit Nominations: 1 April to 24 August 2025.
  • Candidates Campaign and Online voting period: 8 to 29 September 2025, until 9:00 am CEST.
  • Board election results informed exclusively to candidates, elected and non-elected: Friday 3 October 2025.
  • Election of the President and Secretary-General: Saturday, 29 November, in Turin, Italy.
  • Announcement of the 2026-28 CIMAM President, Secretary-General, and Board: Sunday, 30 November in Turin, Italy, at the General Assembly.

13) Nomination Form

First of all, please read CIMAM’s Board Election Guidelines before applying.

The composition of the CIMAM Board should aim to reflect the cultural diversity and global spirit of the organization. It is important that CIMAM Board members are committed and active to CIMAM’s activities and mission during their three-year tenure.

Nominations are welcomed from April 8 to August 24, 2025.

→ Log in to the Members Only section to fill in the Nomination Form, ensuring all compulsory fields are completed.