CIMAM Press Kit 2025
Contact Mireia Azuara, CIMAM's Press and Communication at communication[at]cimam.org
CIMAM Press Kit 2025
About CIMAM
CIMAM (International Committee of Museums and Collections of Modern Art) is the only global network of directors and curators of modern and contemporary art museums. Founded in The Hague in 1962, CIMAM is an Affiliated Organization of ICOM (International Council of Museums).
Vision and Mission
CIMAM envisions a world where the cultural, social, and economic contribution of modern and contemporary art museums, collections, and archives is widely recognized. Its mission is to provide an international forum for debate and knowledge exchange, advocate for best museum practices according to the ICOM and CIMAM Code of Ethics, and support professional development through key programs, including the CIMAM Annual Conference, Rapid Response Webinars, the Museum Watch Program, Sustainability and Ecology in Museum Practice, and the Outstanding Museum Practice Award.
CIMAM is a not-for-profit organization managed by a voluntary board of 15 museum directors and curators. It operates under a Code of Ethics (2023), ensuring transparent stakeholder relationships. The organization relies on the collective expertise of its members to advance the sector and promote collaboration.
The CIMAM Board 2023-25
- Suhanya Raffel, President of CIMAM, Director of M+ (Hong Kong).
- Bart de Baere, Secretary General of CIMAM, General and Artistic Director M HKA—Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen (Antwerpen).
- Zeina Arida, Director, Mathaf (Arab Museum of Modern Art), Doha, Qatar.
- Suzanne Cotter, Director, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, Australia.
- Joselina Cruz, Director/Curator, Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) Manila, Philippines.
- Amanda de la Garza, Artistic Deputy Director, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia (MNCARS), Madrid.
- Leevi Haapala, Dean, Academy of Fine Arts, University of Arts, Helsinki, Finland.
- Clara Kim, Chief Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs, Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, USA.
- Malgorzata Ludwisiak Ph.D., Museum Management Expert / Freelance Curator / Academic Teacher, Warsaw, Poland.
- Chus Martinez, Director, Art Gender Nature Institute, Basel, Switzerland.
- Victoria Noorthoorn, Director, Museo de Arte Moderno de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Agustín Pérez Rubio, Independent Curator, Madrid, Spain.
- Kamini Sawhney, Independent Curator, Bangalore, India.
- Kitty Scott, Strategic Director, Fogo Island Arts / Shorefast, Toronto, Canada.
- Yu Jin Seng, Director (Curatorial, Research & Exhibitions), National Gallery Singapore, Singapore.
CIMAM Membership
CIMAM’s membership includes over 900 professionals from 85 countries, representing museum directors, chief curators, researchers, and independent curators. This global community drives knowledge exchange, collaboration, and advocacy for ethical museum practices.
- 43% Museum directors and senior leadership
- 33% Chief curators and curatorial positions
- 11% Independent curators
- 8% Other museum professionals
Membership is renewed every three years, ensuring ongoing engagement and fresh perspectives within the organization.
From 2023 to 2025, each member of the CIMAM Board will actively engage in strategic working groups, ensuring diverse participation and global perspectives. These groups play a pivotal role in shaping CIMAM's annual programs, addressing forward-thinking practices and the most pressing challenges faced by modern and contemporary art museums. Key focus areas include sustainability, governance, best practices, professional development, knowledge exchange, and fostering international cooperation.
By driving discussions, sharing expertise, and providing practical resources, CIMAM aims to take a leadership role in the international museum landscape and contribute to the sector's sustainability, fostering collaboration between art institutions to drive growth.
Key Programs and Initiatives
CIMAM's flagship program brings together global museum professionals to discuss critical issues facing modern and contemporary art museums. The conference is co-created with the host institution and the Content Steering Committee. Since 1962, CIMAM has held 56 conferences in more than 30 cities worldwide.
- CIMAM 2025 Annual Conference: Turin, Italy | 28–30 November 2025
- Content Committee: Chus Martinez, (Chair of the Contents Committee), Director of the Institute Art Gender Nature in Basel; Kamini Sawhney, Independent Curator, Bangalore; Malgorzata Ludwisiak Ph.D., Museum Management Expert / Freelance Curator / Academic Teacher, Warsaw; Leevi Haapala, Dean, Academy of Fine Arts, University of Arts, Helsinki; Victoria Noorthoorn, Director, Museo de Arte Moderno de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires; Francesco Manacorda, Director, Castello di Rivoli Museo d’Arte Contemporanea, Torino; Chiara Bertola, Director, GAM – Galleria Civica d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea di Torino, Torino; Bernardo Follini, Senior Curator, Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Torino; Davide Quadrio, Director, Museo d’Arte Orientale (MAO), Torino, Italy.
Launched in 2012, the Museum Watch Program advocates for museums and professionals facing threats to their integrity, independence, and operations, particularly in regions affected by political or economic crises.
Since its inception in 2012, the Museum Watch Program has served as a vital advocacy tool, drawing attention to 71 documented cases.
The program focuses on:
- Monitoring and analyzing cases of concern within the global museum community.
- Advocating for institutions and professionals facing critical threats.
- Raising awareness among CIMAM members and the public about challenges to museum autonomy.
- Upholding ethical standards and ensuring adherence to international museum governance guidelines.
Committee Members: Zeina Arida (Chair), Bart de Baere, Malgorzata Ludwisiak, Amanda de la Garza, Kitty Scott, Agustín Pérez Rubio, and Yu Jin Seng.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, the Travel Grant Program has supported over 400 young curators and museum directors from emerging economies, facilitating their participation in CIMAM’s Annual Conferences. The program enhances cross-cultural exchange and professional development while ensuring diverse voices are part of the international dialogue.
Committee Members: Agustín Pérez Rubio (Chair), Clara Kim, Kitty Scott, Joselina Cruz, Amanda de la Garza, and Kamini Sawhney.
Sustainability and Ecology in Museum Practice
Since 2019, CIMAM’s Sustainability and Ecology in Museum Practice initiative has promoted sustainable museum operations aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda. The program has created the Toolkit for Environmental Museum Practices, identifying and encouraging environmentally responsible practices while integrating social and economic dimensions of sustainability.
In 2025, the initiative will expand by incorporating Indigenous knowledge systems, promoting a holistic approach to sustainability that reflects diverse cultural perspectives. This aligns with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, recognizing that Indigenous knowledge contributes to sustainable and equitable development.
The working group focuses on:
- Developing the CIMAM Sustainability Toolkit, providing practical recommendations for sustainable museum practices.
- Showcasing best practices from museums worldwide.
- Promoting social, environmental, and economic sustainability in museum operations and governance.
Committee Members: Suzanne Cotter (Chair), Suhanya Raffel, Malgorzata Ludwisiak, Clara Kim, Kitty Scott, Leevi Haapala, and Joselina Cruz.
The Rapid Response Webinar (RRW) series offers a platform for international museum professionals to discuss progressive, experimental, and impactful museum practices.
The 2025 Rapid Response Webinar series will explore how museums can embrace sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation to shape the future of cultural institutions. Held monthly, Rapid Response Webinars are organized by Board members or CIMAM members who have submitted a webinar proposal, with an international representation of invited panelists.
Committee Members: Kitty Scott, Malgorzata Ludwisiak, Victoria Noorthoorn, Yu Jin Seng, and Chus Martinez.
Outstanding Museum Practice Award
The Outstanding Museum Practice Award, launched in 2021, celebrates innovative initiatives in modern and contemporary art museums that advance public accessibility, sustainability, and community engagement.
The award recognizes projects that inspire the sector, regardless of scale or resources, by demonstrating relevance, innovation, and meaningful connection with audiences.
In 2025, the fifth edition of this award will take place, with the winner or winners announced during the CIMAM General Assembly, held annually as part of the Annual Conference.
Committee Members: Suzanne Cotter (Chair), Suhanya Raffel, Joselina Cruz, Leevi Haapala, Chus Martinez, and Kamini Sawhney.
CIMAM hosts informal monthly online sessions, providing members with a dynamic platform to propose discussion topics and engage in conversations across different time zones. Led by CIMAM members, these sessions foster meaningful connections, spark collaborative projects, and create opportunities to share insights and experiences that support professional growth. It’s a space designed for peer-to-peer exchange, where networks transform into partnerships.
CIMAM’s membership card provides free admission to over 350 modern and contemporary art museums and biennials worldwide. This initiative extends to biennials, offering CIMAM members complimentary access throughout the event, including opening and preview days.
The CIMAM Free Admission Program is designed to enhance connections among museum professionals while promoting knowledge exchange and best practices. Participating institutions, including museums, galleries, collections, biennials, triennials, and other recurring events, gain visibility among CIMAM's global network of over 900 influential museum professionals, strengthening collaborative opportunities across the international art museum community.
Inés Jover
Director CIMAM Executive Office
inesjover[at]cimam.org
Isabel Sozzi
CIMAM Administration and Production
members[at]cimam.org
Mireia Salvador Branera
CIMAM Administration and Production
members[at]cimam.org
Mireia Azuara
Head of CIMAM Communication & Sustainability
communication[at]cimam.org