Museums’ Values – Guiding Principles of Societal Action

When the Outstanding Museum Practice Award (OMPA) was launched, the world was in a different place. The COVID-19 pandemic had brought museums to a point of discussion on their cultural and social relevance. CIMAM – the International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art within ICOM – wanted to show and share practices of (art) museums that “choose to be responsive rather than static.” The award became not only a honorary appreciation but continues to bring to light concrete actions and processes to inspire and encourage others in rapidly changing times. The Award’s founding Chair and Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Suzanna Cotter, underlines this in her article published in ICOM’s “Sharing is Caring” Section last year.

In the post, she emphasises the importance of being guided by values such as equity to drive inclusion, accessibility or education. Suzanna Cotter makes the point for “prioritising long-term social impact over short-term visibility.” This is supported by the variety of examples that were awarded between 2021 and 2025 and are introduced in her article.

As we are looking towards the 49th IATM Conference “Changing the Script: Transport and Communication Museums and their Communities,” we want to point you towards this article that does not only share examples but provides ideas on how similar actions or offers might be a fit for your community and your institution. And a starting point to include them in your strategies and policies for the long-term. Please read on here.