Museum Watch Releases

• 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.

• CIMAM statement about Osman Kavala and Turkish cultural professionals

  

  11 January 2019. The civil society activist and philanthropist Osman Kavala has been held in prison in Turkey for over a year now, one of the many public intellectuals and cultural figures targeted following the attempted coup in July 2016.

• About the Greek National Museum of Contemporary Art

  

  21 December 2018. CIMAM is concerned about the lack of transparency in relation to the governance of EMST. A museum needs a clear framework through which the relationship between the government, Board, executive and staff is managed.

• Okwui Enwezor

  

  December 2018. The Board of CIMAM acknowledges Okwui Enwezor for the outstanding program he presented at Haus der Kunst in Münich and expresses its deep concern by the way in which this outstanding relationship was ended. The case was raised at the recent CIMAM conference in Stockholm as it is one of the many recent examples of ruptures between governing bodies and directors of contemporary art institutions.

• Catherine de Zegher

  

  November 2018. In its capacity as the international association for Museums and Collections of Modern and Contemporary art, and as an affiliate of ICOM, CIMAM wishes to register its deep concern at the treatment of Catherine de Zegher in her capacity as Director of the Museum of Fine Arts (MSK) in Ghent.

• Beatrix Ruf

  

  November 2018. The Board of CIMAM congratulates Beatrix Ruf, former director of the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam with the positive outcome of the investigations into alleged conflicts of interest.

• Letter from Enrico Lunghi to CIMAM Members and Board

  

  November 2017

• CIMAM statement on the US government sanctions against Iran and Syria

  

  November 2017. The CIMAM Board deplores the fact that the sanctions are preventing museum professionals in Iran from taking part in global discussions about museum practice.

• About the ‘Art and China after 1989: Theater of the World’ show at the Guggenheim Museum

  

  November 2017. Following the withdrawal of works from the ‘Art and China after 1989: Theater of the World’ exhibition at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, the CIMAM board has been considering an appropriate response.

• Statement of the CIMAM board on South Korean Government’s blacklist of artists

  

  March 2017. The board of CIMAM is deeply concerned to hear of the blacklist of artists that has come to light during the current investigations into government corruption in South Korea.

• Joint Statement Regarding the Impact of the U.S. Immigration Ban on Artistic Freedom

  

  February 2017. Today, more than thirty cultural institutions and human rights organizations around the world, including international arts, curators’ and critics’ associations, organizations protecting free speech rights, as well as U.S. based performance, arts and creative freedom organizations and alliances, issued a joint statement opposing United States President Donald J. Trump’s immigration ban. Read the full statement below.

• CIMAM asks American University to refrain from censorship

  

  January 2017. The CIMAM board asks Neil Kerwin, as president of American University, to reinstate the sculpture and for it to remain in place until 30th of April as originally agreed with the artist.‎