Aprille Tijam
Conference Report. December 2024
On the theme
The theme Sustainable Futures: How? When? For Whom? remains critically relevant in the post-COVID- 19 era. The pandemic’s socio-economic impact continues to influence museum practice and redefine approaches to sustainability. Often equated with financial considerations—funding, sponsorships, budgets—sustainability at this year’s conference was explored through broader, global perspectives. Clara Kim stated: “Sustainability looking through different lens”, emphasizing the importance of “what it means to foreground? —new ways of doing things, more holistic ways, and step outside of assumed knowledge”. The case studies presented underscored the importance of recognizing diverse infrastructures, resources, traditions, relationships, and expertise that shape sustainable development efforts in museum practices.
On the sessions
Conferences bring people together. As CIMAM President Suhanya Raffel highlighted, they enable us "to work beyond borders to support sustainability." Clara Kim’s observation about the "sheer magnetic power to bring people together" resonated deeply with the gathering’s purpose—to engage, represent, and lead in addressing this ever-evolving issue. I concur with recommendations of Dr. Sook-Kyung Lee, Director of the Whitworth and Professor of Curatorial Practices of the University of Manchester, to share pre- conference readings prior to the conference proper. This could significantly enrich discussions and enhance engagement during Question-and-Answer sessions. Given the diverse practices of museums from the Global North and South, prior access to relevant data could foster more meaningful, informed exchanges. Furthermore, representations of museums and practitioners from war-torn regions or Southeast Asia—where natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes, political instability, and other challenges prevail—would have added valuable perspectives to this year’s conference.
Mark Bradford’s presentation provided a very straightforward approach on how to be sustainable— bridging connections, bring people in, and believe in what you do. Similarly, the presentation Managing Collections Environment for a Sustainable Future (and Present) of Cecilia Winter, Senior Project Specialist, Getty Conservation Institute, emphasized “sustainable, knowledge-based approach for climate control strategies are becoming more viable…. requiring synchronized shifts in policy, research and practice…And collaboration!”. Both highlighted the critical role of robust infrastructures and interdisciplinary collaboration—pragmatic principles directly applicable to my responsibilities as Associate Director and Head of Exhibitions and Collections overseeing administrative, exhibitions, collections, and institutional resources at Ayala Museum.
The interlude presentation Two drops per heartbeat: A free-fall in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection of Walid Raad was particularly captivating. His research process as an artist-professor serendipitously annotating 237 points of relation with Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid—a museum that I am very familiar with— was very inspiring. His discoveries offered an interesting perspective on advancing cultural heritage work through creative and knowledge-driven approach resulting to transformative level in sustainable knowledge base development.
On the organization
I congratulate the CIMAM Annual Conference working committee for successfully organizing the conference across three venues—The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Hammer, and Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). It was the first time for me to set foot on these museums. As a program manager myself, I recognize the logistics challenges to prepare program sessions and shuttle 300 participants between sites. I also commend the coordinator of the travel grants for efficiently handling documentations and timely release of flight and hotel bookings. Future grant recipients could benefit from additional support for airport transfers and travel insurance.
The Museum Tour Program was a highlight. I appreciated the opportunity to visit additional museums during this trip to Los Angeles. The provision of transportation to and from the selected museums or creative centers was very thoughtful. However, the tight schedule limited time for in-depth exploration and interpretive sessions. A more extended duration at each museum would have enhanced the experience, especially for walkthroughs led by curators.
Conclusion
Sara Zewde’s presentation on Museum as Landscape framed museums as integral components of evolving cultural landscapes. The shifting models of the relationships between landscapes and museums represent the evolving relationships of the land and its people, the institutional legacies built and passed on from one generation to the next. Her assertion that “we are all just passing through” underscores our transient yet critical role as cultural heritage practitioners in preserving and transferring cultural legacies. The opportunity to engage in international conversations is an affirmation that we have shared visions, shared challenges, and shared solutions to navigate our responsibilities on sustainability.
Acknowledgments
I extend my gratitude to the Getty Foundation for their generous support of my participation in the 2024 Annual CIMAM Conference. I congratulate and thank CIMAM and its board members for their efficient organization of the event. Finally, I also thank Ayala Foundation, Inc./Ayala Museum, Philippines for their collaboration to support my attendance at this gathering of CIMAM members and museum professionals.
Biography
Aprille Tijam (b. 1972) obtained her BA in Philippine Arts from University of the Philippines-Manila and has been working with Philippine private and government museums since 1994. Her extensive experience in museum work—education, PR, exhibitions, collections—provided her with holistic understanding of many facets of museum work.
In 2024, she was promoted to Associate Director, Head of Exhibitions and Collections at Ayala Museum, where she is affiliated since 2004. In her current role, she oversees in-house exhibitions management; local/ international loans and networking; overseas loans courier. Aprille was Exhibition Manager/courier of Zóbel. Contrapuntos, Ayala Museum’s Collateral Event entry, 57th Venice Biennale (2017). Simultaneously, she oversaw the Collections Management Program of Ayala Museum and Bank of the Philippines Islands collections; project manage Ayala Group of Companies special art programs; museum development projects; five traveling exhibitions brought to over 70 Philippine destinations (2008-present). Sge project-managed/courier for Philippine loans for Zobel. The Future of the Past, Museo Nacional del Prado (2022-2023) and collaboration with Asian Civilisations Museum Singapore for Philippine loans in Manila Galleon: From Asia to the Americas (2023-2024).
Aprille developed collections-focused learning programs and organized trainings. She is spearheading the incremental implementation of access programs for Persons with Disabilities. A grant from British Council-Connections Through Culture Programme supported my Research on Fernando Zóbel Collection and Donation to the British Museum (2020). This is part of a three-phase research—United Kingdom, Spain, and soon in the US. A British Museum-International Training Programme grant allowed her to continue with phase 2—Research on Fernando Zóbel as Art Patron and the Spanish Printmakers in the Museo de Arte Abstracto Español in Spain (2022). She is one of ten international fellows of International Working Group-Reimagining the British Museum Programme (2022-2024).
Aprille is an ICOM member since 2008; member of ICOM Philippines Board (2019-2021). She received travel/training grants from CollAsia2010-ICCROM/SEAMEO-SPAFA, ICOM, Getty Foundation, British Museum, and British Council.
Aprille Tijam, Associate Director and Head of Exhibitions and Collections, Ayala Museum, Makati City, Philippines, has been awarded by the Getty Foundation, Los Angeles.