ICOM Foundation

Supporting museums and heritage worldwide since 1965

For over sixty years, the ICOM Foundation has played a vital role in supporting the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and the global museum community. Through the commitment of its contributors, the Foundation helps safeguard cultural heritage, empower museum professionals, and strengthen international cooperation.

The ICOM Foundation was established in 1965, following a decision by the ICOM Executive Board. It was formally created in Zurich on 15 June 1965 by leading figures of the museum world, including:

• Sir Philip Hendy, Director of the National Gallery, London
• Fritz Gysin, Director of the Swiss National Museum, Zurich
• Arthur van Schendel, Director of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
• Maurice Daumas, Director of the Musée des Arts et Métiers, Paris

Its creation was officially announced during the 8th ICOM General Conference in New York later that year.

From the outset, the Foundation was conceived as a key instrument to provide financial support to ICOM and to strengthen its mission worldwide.

Over the decades, several prominent museum leaders and former ICOM Presidents have shaped the Foundation’s development, including:

• Arthur van Schendel, founding figure and ICOM President (1965–1971)
• Hubert Landais, former Director of the Louvre and ICOM President (1977–1983)
• Jacques Perot, ICOM President (1998–2004), who remains active on the Foundation Board
• Elisabeth des Portes, former ICOM Secretary General

Today, the Foundation is chaired by Dr. Alberto Garlandini, ICOM President (2020–2022).

The ICOM Foundation is an independent legal entity established under Swiss law and based in Zurich. Its purpose is to provide financial resources to support ICOM’s programmes and initiatives, benefiting the international museum community.

With more than 1,000 contributors across 27 countries, the Foundation brings together individuals committed to museums, cultural heritage, and the values embodied in the ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums.

Contributions to the ICOM Foundation directly support key areas of ICOM’s work:

• Protecting cultural heritage : supporting initiatives that combat illicit trafficking of cultural property, including the development and dissemination of the ICOM Red Lists of Cultural Objects at Risk, in collaboration with international partners such as UNESCO, INTERPOL, and the World Customs Organization.
• Responding to crises : providing assistance to museums and heritage professionals in regions affected by armed conflict, natural disasters, or instability.
• Training and mobility : enabling the professional development of museum practitioners, with a focus on young professionals and those from countries with fewer resources.
• Access to international events : facilitating participation—both in person and online—in major ICOM events, including the General Conferences.

By joining the ICOM Foundation, you become part of a global network dedicated to preserving and promoting cultural heritage. Your contribution helps ensure that museums can continue to serve society, even in challenging contexts.

Contributors play a direct role in sustaining impactful projects and advancing ICOM’s mission worldwide.

Becoming a contributor is simple. If you are interested in supporting the ICOM Foundation, we invite you to get in touch and tell us about your interest.

Contact us at: fondation@icom.museum

Our team will guide you through the process and provide all the necessary information.