ICOM new museum research programme

ICOM, in partnership with the University of Shanghai, is calling for applications from consortiums of academic institutions and museums to explore the state of public funding for museums.

In December 2020, ICOM entered into partnership with Shanghai University to establish the International Museum Research and Exchange Centre (ICOM-IMREC). ICOM-IMREC is now seeking applications for a targeted research project exploring public funding for museums.

Research conducted by ICOM between 2018 and 2021 reveals that declining public funding for museums is an issue of major concern which threatens the future sustainability of the sector. ICOM-IMREC is seeking well-developed proposals from interested consortiums to explore and report on these questions:

• What does the term ‘public funding’ currently encompass and how is the term understood across the globe?
• Is declining public funding for museums a global phenomenon?
• Where, to what extent and what kind of declines are occurring? With what impact?
• In areas where reductions are occurring, how are museums responding? Are there discernible trends emerging from new business models?

These questions should be explored with reference to each of the major regional areas so that comparisons can be made.

The total amount of funding available for this research project is 70,000 EUR.

The call welcomes proposals from consortiums of academic institutions and museums working in cross-geographical and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Application guidelines 

Deadline: 14 October 2022