MISSION 

The International Congress of Maritime Museums (ICMM) connects maritime museums worldwide to preserve maritime culture, inspire ocean stewardship, and empower members as cultural leaders safeguarding our shared maritime heritage.

VISION 

The International Congress of Maritime Museums (ICMM) is a vibrant global network where maritime heritage institutions and individuals collaborate without boundaries to inspire a profound worldwide appreciation for our shared maritime heritage and the oceans.

OBJECTIVES

To Achieve the Vision & Mission, ICMM

  • Holds meetings and conferences for the consideration and discussion of matters of value to our members.  
  • Supports the promotion and continuous enhancement and review of professional standards and encourage research in relation to matters of maritime heritage. 
  • Disseminates and promotes the activities of member museums and organisations in accordance with ICMM’s objectives. 
  • Where funds are available internally or externally, manages, facilitates, and decides on the allocation of funding competitive funds to member museums and organisations for projects that contribute to the growth of maritime heritage. 

ICMM collaborates with its members to: 

  • Forge connections: Bring together museums and their people to collaborate and share knowledge and experience. 
  • Champion maritime heritage: Raising public awareness, advocating for the importance of maritime heritage in global culture and history. 
  • Increase inclusivity and equity: Ensuring that people of all backgrounds have opportunities to engage and share with their maritime heritage. 
  • Promote stewardship of the marine environment: Growing the public understanding of marine ecosystems and sustainable practices. 
  • Raise standards: Fostering best practice in maritime conservation, curation, and visitor engagement. 

ICMM’s PRINCIPLES  

  • Collaboration, collegiality, and mutual support.
  • Teamwork and commitment.
  • Recognising the value of maritime heritage for current and future generations.
  • Championing diverse and under-represented maritime histories.
  • Inclusive and equitable access to resources and representation.
  • Championing ocean sustainability.

ICMM organises a week-long International Congress every other year, at maritime sites around the world. Lectures, workshops, discussions, and site visits cover a variety of issues of concern to maritime museums. Companionable after-hours sessions and excursions add to the strength of networking contacts formed at the conferences.

ICMM supports the flourishing international network of maritime museums with a website, newsletter and social media presence to inform members and the public of maritime museum events and developments worldwide.

ICMM is an ICOM-affiliated organisation and has the status to represent and support member museums in matters of common professional interest.

ICMM Full Member museums appoint their own Congress delegates, with no specific limit on the number of representatives an institution may send to a biennial Congress.

The ICMM Constitution is available in English and Dutch.