Museum Watch Actions

• Statement on the Forced Resignation of Alistair Hudson

  

  2 March 2022. The Museum Watch Committee (MWC) expresses our deep concern regarding the forced removal of Alistair Hudson from his post as Director of the Whitworth Art Gallery, an institution under the University of Manchester.

• Anti-war petitions and resources in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine

  

  March 2022. List of practical resources for Ukrainian culture professionals and civil society and anti-war petitions in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

• A Message from CIMAM in support to Ukrainian museum professionals

  

  25 February 2022. CIMAM expresses its absolute condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine by military forces from the present Russian regime. We ask all members of CIMAM to actively consider ways they can act to show their solidarity with our colleagues.

• About the recent developments in relation to Enrico Lunghi’s legal challenge

  

  19 January 2022. CIMAM congratulates Enrico for his perseverance in very difficult circumstances and welcomes this public vindication of a respected and valued member of the museum community in a time when many of our colleagues remain vulnerable to poor governance and political interference.

• A case relevant for the current debate around freedom of speech

  

  23 September 2021. The National Coalition Against Censorship, a United States-based organization, is disseminating a letter supporting Cai Quo-Qiang and Sandra Ramos, two eminent members of the international artistic community who are currently confronted with exclusion from an art event in Florida by local policymakers

• CIMAM Statement in relation to the critical situation facing artists and art professionals in Afghanistan

  

  30 August 2021. CIMAM wishes to express its deep concern about the vulnerable position of artists and art professionals in Afghanistan and to draw attention to the need for their plight to be highlighted to those Governments that are working to ensure the safety of those at critical risk from the Taliban.

• Statement on recent developments at MACBA

  

  23 July 2021. CIMAM’s Museum Watch Committee is deeply concerned by recent developments at MACBA, Barcelona, one of Europe’s more influential and dynamic museums.

• Turning the Gwangju Biennale into a Working Organisation: Statement on the Gwangju Biennale

  

  19 July 2021. The Museum Watch Committee (MWC) expresses its great concern regarding the resistance to the organisational reform of the Gwangju Biennale Foundation, the organiser of the Gwangju Biennale.

• Statement on the Proposed Restructuring of City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi

  

  9 June 2021. The Museum Watch Committee (MWC) expresses its great concern regarding action by Experience Wellington to restructure the City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi. Experience Wellington’s plan to disestablish the roles of director and senior curator at City Gallery Wellington will destabilise the institution by reducing its ability to develop quality content necessary for a cultural institution.

• The calm and effective actions of the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Koroška

  

  31 May 2021. The Museum Watch Committee commends the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Koroška for foregrounding the artists and the project’s curatorial integrity in such challenging circumstances.

• CIMAM shares the open letter from Colombian cultural workers and stands in solidarity with them.

  

  13 May 2021. SOS ARTE COLOMBIA. "Our struggle is for life". CIMAM shares the open letter from cultural workers and stands in solidarity with them.

• New political scenarios, sharpened by the pandemic, directly impact the situation of museum directors around the world

  

  PR 23 March 2021. Modern and contemporary art museums and the professionals committed to their preservation are increasingly exposed to critical situations that undermine their ability to operate with international standards of best practice.

• Why should museums remain open and operational?

  

  19 February 2021. The conclusions and examples aim to encourage and inspire modern and contemporary art museum professionals worldwide to keep their museums operational. Read the contributions from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, India, Italy, Peru, Russia, Singapore, Spain, USA.

• Trends and Dangers in the Governance Of Cultural Institutions in the European Context

  

  14 January 2021. CIMAM expresses its concern with regards to recent developments in the governance of cultural institutions across Europe. Read the full statement here.

• An ecosystem in danger: the Mexican museums

  

  10 December 2020. The Mexican government has started to dismantle the revered public institutions that have been developed over many generations. CIMAM is deeply concerned that the actions of the current government in Mexico will lead to the destruction of these important cultural institutions.

• A Governance Question in South-Africa

  

  3 December 2020. With growing concern, the Museum Watch Committee has followed the case of our colleague Ernestine White-Mifetu, director of the William Humphreys Art Gallery (WHAG) in Kimberley, now suspended from her functions in the museum.

• La Paz: International Museum Best Cases in Danger

  

  29 June 2020. CIMAM is deeply concerned about the future of MNA and MUSEF following the forced resignation of two Directors recognised internationally for their visionary leadership.

• Belgrade: Leading Institution Damaged by Local Politics

  

  18 March 2020. CIMAM is deeply concerned by what appears to be an abandonment of good practices in the acquisition of competent leadership, and the favoring of improvised solutions destabilizing an institution fundamental to the cultural identity of the country.

• Aichi Triennale re-opened thanks to the artists’ and curators’ efforts

  

  31 January 2020. CIMAM would like to note the commendable actions of the artists, supported by the curators, who effectively worked to restore the autonomy of the Triennale from political pressure, securing the reopening of the exhibition.

• Critical financial situation at the Museu de Arte do Rio (MAR). CIMAM urges the City Government to continue its support

  

  11 January 2020. Eleven senior staff members were dismissed and all one hundred employees received a prior letter announcing their possible dismissal on November 2019.

• A key institution for Polish cultural heritage of post-Cold War era under threat

  

  27 November 2019. CIMAM appeals for the organisation of a transparent jury with a mixture of Polish and international professionals, based upon clearly-established institutional aims formulated by politics, that would allow for the selection of the best candidate, and equip him or her with public legitimacy.

• CIMAM questions the decision of the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs to withhold the funding granted to the Aichi Triennale 2019

  

  10 October 2019. CIMAM is hopeful that the decision to withhold funding is a result of a misunderstanding between the parties involved and calls on the Agency for Cultural Affairs to restore its grant to the Aichi Triennial 2019.

• Deep concern at cancellation of the exhibition “After ‘Freedom of Expression?’”

  

  27 August 2019. CIMAM is greatly concerned about the 2019 Aichi Triennale’s decision to cancel the exhibition After ‘Freedom of Expression?'.

• CIMAM expresses its deep concern at Ralf Beil's termination of contract by the Board of Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg

  

  4 March 2019. The manner with which Ralf Beil's contract was terminated it raises serious questions about the professional ethics guiding the governing body of the Museum.