Mission and Vision
CIMAM – International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art – is an Affiliated Organization of ICOM (the International Council of Museums), and is constituted as an association, acting as a non-profit organization, under the Spanish National Registry of Associations.
CIMAM is the only global network of modern and contemporary art museum experts in the field. CIMAM members are directors and curators working in modern and contemporary art museums, collections, and archives.
Founded in 1962, CIMAM’s vision is a world where the contribution of museums, collections, and archives of modern and contemporary art to the cultural, social, and economic well-being of society is recognized and respected.
CIMAM's mission is to foster a global network of museums and museum professionals in the field of modern and contemporary art and provide a forum for communication, cooperation, information exchange, and debate on issues of common interest among museums, non-profit collections, and artists, and museum professionals interested in modern and contemporary art to represent their interests in accordance with the ethical principles and values of the ICOM Code of Ethics and CIMAM's Code of Ethics. In addition, CIMAM encourages scientific research related to the field of modern and contemporary art museums to inspire professionals with best practices in the field and to ensure that appropriate ethical and professional standards are established and adhered to.
By generating debate and encouraging cooperation between art institutions and individuals at different stages of development around the world, CIMAM plays a key role in the growth of the sector.
CIMAM is a largely volunteer-driven organization and relies heavily on the generous support of individuals and organizations.
The members of the Board work on a volunteer basis throughout the three-year term, overseeing the everyday operations of the committee.
An executive team of four professionals based in Barcelona, Spain runs CIMAM’s programs and activities.
*ICOM – International Council of Museums – is a network of more than 35,000 members and museum professionals created in 1946 who represent the global museum community.
Key Activities
→ An Annual Conference that brings together members from different parts of the world to debate theoretical, ethical, and practical issues concerning the collection and exhibition of modern and contemporary art, and to share experiences, followed by visits to the foremost contemporary art institutions, collections, and projects in the region. The first CIMAM Annual Conference took place in 1962 in The Hague. Since then the Committee has celebrated over 50 conferences that have been held in 30 different cities around the globe.
→ The establishment of professional codes of practice and ethical standards for institutions and individuals, such as the General Principles on Conditions of Deaccession from Modern and Contemporary Museum Collections, the Museum Watch Governance Management Project, the Toolkit on Environmental Sustainability in the Museum Practice or the set of Ethical Clauses of Governance to protect and support museums and their staff.
→ Museum Watch, an advocacy program intended to be a tool to assist modern and contemporary art museum professionals in dealing with critical situations that impact the ability of museums and individuals to maintain their professional codes of practice. It does so with the aim of stimulating reflection by generating debate and uncovering topics for future conferences.
→ The Toolkit for Environmental Museum Practices is a resource that is updated monthly. It was developed by a working group created in 2019 by the CIMAM Board to respond to the urgent need for museums to evolve towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. This toolkit brings together guidelines, action plans, protocols and resources developed by the CIMAM community, and compiles and shares them to inspire and assist museum professionals committed to implementing sustainable practices.
→ A supportive network for professional development. CIMAM’s Travel Grant Program supports the curatorial and research development of individuals through their attendance at the Annual Conference. Since 2005 CIMAM has supported over 300 young curators and museum directors in attending the Annual Conference.
→ CIMAM’s membership program. The most renowned international network of modern and contemporary art museum experts in the field.
→ Rapid Response Webinars and the CIMAM Connects networking sessions to allow CIMAM members to continue discussing the most urgent concerns and questions affecting the modern and contemporary art museum community at this time.
→ Free admission program to a network of almost 200 museums and biennials worldwide.