{"id":68144,"date":"2026-04-17T17:18:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T15:18:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/icom.museum\/?page_id=68144"},"modified":"2026-04-17T18:06:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T16:06:42","slug":"icom-foundation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/icom.museum\/en\/get-involved\/icom-foundation\/","title":{"rendered":"ICOM Foundation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Supporting museums and heritage worldwide since 1965<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

ICOM Foundation History<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Sir Philip Hendy<\/strong>, Director of the National Gallery, London<\/li>\n
  • Fritz Gysin<\/strong>, Director of the Swiss National Museum, Zurich<\/li>\n
  • Arthur van Schendel<\/strong>, Director of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam<\/li>\n
  • Maurice Daumas<\/strong>, Director of the Mus\u00e9e des Arts et M\u00e9tiers, Paris<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Its creation was officially announced during the 8th ICOM General Conference in New York later that year.<\/p>\n

    From the outset, the Foundation was conceived as a key instrument to provide financial support to ICOM and to strengthen its mission worldwide.<\/p>\n

    Over the decades, several prominent museum leaders and former ICOM Presidents have shaped the Foundation\u2019s development, including:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Arthur van Schendel<\/strong>, founding figure and ICOM President (1965\u20131971)<\/li>\n
    • Hubert Landais<\/strong>, former Director of the Louvre and ICOM President (1977\u20131983)<\/li>\n
    • Jacques Perot<\/strong>, ICOM President (1998\u20132004), who remains active on the Foundation Board<\/li>\n
    • Elisabeth des Portes<\/strong>, former ICOM Secretary General<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Today, the Foundation is chaired by Dr. Alberto Garlandini<\/strong>, ICOM President (2020\u20132022).<\/p>\n

      \n

      Who We Are<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

      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\u2019s programmes and initiatives, benefiting the international museum community.<\/p>\n

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

      \"\"
      ICOM Foundation President, Alberto Garlandini, at the 27th ICOM General Conference in Dubai, November 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
      \n
      \"\"
      ICOM Director General, Medea Ekner, at the 27th ICOM General Conference in Dubai, November 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      What We Support<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

      Contributions to the ICOM Foundation directly support key areas of ICOM\u2019s work:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Protecting cultural heritage\u00a0:<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n
      • Responding to crises\u00a0:<\/strong> providing assistance to museums and heritage professionals in regions affected by armed conflict, natural disasters, or instability.<\/li>\n
      • Training and mobility\u00a0:<\/strong> enabling the professional development of museum practitioners, with a focus on young professionals and those from countries with fewer resources.<\/li>\n
      • Access to international events\u00a0:<\/strong> facilitating participation\u2014both in person and online\u2014in major ICOM events, including the General Conferences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \"\"
        Recent Heritage Protection Department projects supported by the ICOM Foundation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

        \"\"<\/p>\n

        \n

        Why Become a Contributor?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        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.<\/p>\n

        Contributors play a direct role in sustaining impactful projects and advancing ICOM\u2019s mission worldwide.<\/p>\n

        \n

        Become a Contributor<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        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.<\/p>\n

        Contact us at:<\/span> fondation@icom.museum<\/p>\n

        Our team will guide you through the process and provide all the necessary information.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        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. ICOM Foundation History The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":2955,"menu_order":8,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-68144","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nICOM Foundation - International Council of Museums<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/icom.museum\/en\/get-involved\/icom-foundation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"ICOM Foundation - International Council of Museums\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"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. 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