Main reasons why CIMAM members attend the Annual Conference every year
There are many reasons why the international community of curators and directors of modern and contemporary art museums and collections attend the CIMAM Conference every year. This year's edition was exceptional, and one expression was constantly repeated: "to meet again in person".
This, and much more, is what it means to belong to this international community of museum professionals. Read some of the evaluations that the event attendees have made about the 53rd edition of the CIMAM Annual Conference.
"To update my knowledge, meet new colleagues, and exchange views on what is happening in museums worldwide."
"Broaden my views on museum work and learn through the experiences of other institutions."
"To learn about the Polish situation, meeting colleagues, and looking from a global perspective by being together in the space."
"Intellectual stimulation. To learn about innovative and best-practice approaches to curating and museum programming in an international context. Hearing from fellow artists and curators worldwide who are facing similar global challenges related to climate change and xenophobia and how they affect art museums and practice."
"Taking responsibility for museums in today's society is essential. Hence, new frameworks of meaning are generated for our lines of action. For this reason, spaces such as the CIMAM congress are crucial. They are also places to share experiences and conflicts from different contexts."
"Meet people who think about art and cultural heritage. Be in touch with the global problems of museums and the challenges we face today. To actively participate in developing a cultural policy that supports innovation."
"I wanted to participate in current debates and hear reflections from the field on pressing issues."
"Attending CIMAM is an excellent opportunity to interact with museum professionals from different parts of the world, practice critical thinking, and discover the artistic ecosystem of the conference venue."
"To reconnect in person with colleagues in the art museum sector, listen to and discuss with experts in the field, and discover the Polish art scene."
"Having heard about CIMAM for years and having followed how it constitutes a community of professionals from all over the world sharing current topics and tools, I felt the need to be part of this journey of reflections and exchange of experiences. Moreover, it was an opportunity to participate in a moment of respite from which I would be more equipped to continue to deal with the continuous pressure we feel as art institutions and professionals in our daily routines and mission."
The CIMAM 2021 Annual Conference was held on November 5-7, 2021, hosted as initially planned by the Muzeum Sztuki in Lodz and the NOMUS New Art Museum/ Branch of the National Museum in Gdansk, Poland.
During the three days of discussions, the conference focused on the two interconnected current crises of Xenophobia and Climate Change, and the sometimes hidden or unexplored connections between the two.
Keynote speakers and relevant case-study presentations showed how institutions, artists, and thinkers working together can provide practical laboratories concerning these emerging issues and offer methodological tools to combat discriminatory and nationalistic tendencies in an increasingly divisive and divided world.
Learn more about CIMAM's 2021 Annual Conference: