CIMAM Press Kit 2026
Contact Mireia Azuara, CIMAM's Press and Communication at communication[at]cimam.org
CIMAM Press Kit 2026
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, the Travel Grants Program, the Outstanding Museum Practice Award, and the development of Best Practices of reference for Modern and Contemprorary Art Museums.
CIMAM is a non-profit organisation governed by a Board of 15 museum directors and curators who serve on a voluntary basis. The organisation operates under a Code of Ethics that ensures transparency and accountability in its relations with stakeholders. Drawing on the collective expertise of its international membership, CIMAM works to advance professional standards and foster collaboration across the field of modern and contemporary art museums.
CIMAM Board 2026–28
- Amanda de la Garza Mata, (President of CIMAM 2026-28), Deputy Artistic Director, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (MNCARS), Madrid, Spain.
- Zeina Arida, (Secretary General of CIMAM), Director, Mathaf - Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha, Qatar
- Raphael Chikukwa, Executive Director, National Gallery of Zimbabwe Harare, Zimbabwe
- Doryun Chong, Artistic Director and Chief Curator, M+, Hong Kong.
- Joselina Cruz, Director and Curator, Museum of Contemporary and Design (MCAD), Manila, Philippines.
- Tatiana Cuevas, General Director, Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo (MUAC), Mexico City, Mexico
- Elvira Dyangani Ose, Director, Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA), Barcelona, Spain
- Shabbir Hussain Mustafa, Chief Curator, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore.
- Clara M Kim, Chief Curator & Director of Curatorial Affairs, The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Los Angeles, USA.
- Sunjung Kim, Artistic Director, Art Sonje Center, Seoul, South Korea.
- Pablo Lafuente, Artistic Director, Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro (MAM Rio), Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
- Chus Martinez, Head, Institute Art Gender Nature Basel, Switzerland.
- Stephanie Rosenthal, Director, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
- Kamini Sawhney, Artistic Director, Public Arts Project, BLRHubba, Bengaluru, India.
- Jochen Volz, Director General, Pinacoteca de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Read a message from Amanda de la Garza, CIMAM President, outlining CIMAM’s objectives for the 2026–28 term.
CIMAM Membership
CIMAM’s membership includes over 1000 professionals from over 90 countries, representing museum directors, chief curators, researchers, and independent curators. This global community drives knowledge exchange, collaboration, and advocacy for ethical museum practices.
CIMAM members by professional profile:
- 31,2% Museum Directors and Leadership Positions in Museums (Director, Artistic Director, Executive Director and Deputy Director, Founder and President, CEO)
- 19,9% Chief Curators and Head / Director of Department, Manager
- 27,9% Other Curatorial Positions in Museum (Curator and Adjunct Curator, Educator)
- 5,17% Other positions in Museums (Comms, Assistant Directors, Registrar, Production, etc)
- 1.8% Independent Curator (Former / Emeritus Directors, Professors, and Researchers)
CIMAM members by continent:
- Africa: 35 → 3,12%
- Asia: 203 → 18,10%
- Eastern & Central Europe: 482 → 42,96%
- North & Central America: 166 → 14,79%
- Oceania: 92 → 8,20%
- South America: 105 → 9,36%
- Middle East: 39 → 3,48%
Membership—whether as an individual or as an institution—is renewed every three years, ensuring ongoing engagement within the organization.
Since 2023, CIMAM's membership fees have been aligned with ICOM's by using the same criteria by country, according to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita by Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) of every State, ensuring equal access to CIMAM for all professionals around the world.
Access detailed information on membership fees
As a largely volunteer-driven organization, CIMAM relies heavily on the generous support of individuals and organizations. The support we receive from our patrons is essential to the functioning and success of CIMAM.
It enables us to continue growing and expanding our international presence by engaging with the diversity of voices that characterize our profession.
We like to consider our Patrons travel companions on CIMAM's journey. Some of them, like our Founding Patrons, have trusted CIMAM for more than 20 years, and have witnessed the evolution of this organization.
Thanks to our patrons, we can continue our work in the following areas:
- Advocating for the rights, interests, and needs of museums and collections of modern and contemporary art worldwide.
- Promoting best practices in museums that are respectful, and useful for all the realities that CIMAM represents.
- Facilitating the spaces for debate, international exchange, cooperation, and collaboration among museums.
- Providing professional development opportunities for museum professionals.
Each member of the CIMAM Board actively engages 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 57 conferences in more than 30 cities worldwide.
All materials from CIMAM’s Annual Conferences—including publications and recorded lectures—are archived and made publicly available through CIMAM’s Digital Resources.
Content Committee: Elvira Dyangani Ose (Chair), Raphael Chikukwa, Sunjung Kim, Renée Akitelek Mboya, Fadzai Muchemwa, Paula Nascimento, Smooth Nzewi, Marie Hélène Pereira, Stephanie Rosenthal, Suzana Sousa, and Jochen Volz.
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: Doryun Chong (Chair); Sunjung Kim; Pablo Lafuente; Kamini Sawhney; Elvira Dyangani Ose; and Shabbir Mustafa.
The Travel Grant Program has supported over 400 young curators and museum directors from emerging economies since 2005, facilitating their participation in CIMAM’s Annual Conferences. The programme is made possible through the ongoing support of a network of local and international supporters who, year after year, contribute to enabling access for these professionals. It fosters cross-cultural exchange and professional development, while ensuring diverse voices are part of the international dialogue.
The Travel Grant program enhances cross-cultural exchange and professional development while ensuring diverse voices are part of the international dialogue.
Committee Members: Clara Kim (Chair), Pablo Lafuente, Kamini Sawhney, Tatiana Cuevas, Raphael Chikukwa, Joselina Cruz, Shabbir Mustafa, and Stephanie Rosenthal.
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.
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: Joselina Cruz (Co-chair); Tatiana Cuevas (Co-chair); Doryun Chong; Stephanie Rosenthal; Pablo Lafuente; and Clara Kim.
The Rapid Response Webinar (RRW) series offers a platform for international museum professionals to discuss progressive, experimental, and impactful museum practices.
The 2026 Rapid Response Webinar series will explore how museums can embrace sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation to shape the future of cultural institutions. The Rapid Response Webinars are organized by Board members or CIMAM members who have submitted a webinar proposal, with an international representation of invited panelists.
All webinar recordings are archived and accessible exclusively to CIMAM members through the website’s members-only (login) area.
CIMAM 2026 Rapid Response Webinars are made possible with the support of the Getty Foundation through its Connecting Professionals/Sharing Expertise initiative.
Committee Members: Chus Martínez (Chair), Raphael Chikukwa, Amanda de la Garza, Jochen Volz, Stephanie Rosenthal, Elvira Dyangani Ose, and Tatiana Cuevas
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.
The sixth edition of this award will be held in 2026, and the awarded museum(s) will be announced publicly as part of the programme for the CIMAM Annual Conference in Zimbabwe.
Committee Members: Kamini Sawhney (Chair), Joselina Cruz, Shabbir Mustafa, Amanda de la Garza, Pablo Lafuente, and Stephanie Rosenthal
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