MuseumsForum

MuseumsForum is a nonprofit international association that connects museums, museum professionals, researchers, and cultural organizations to promote knowledge exchange, professional development, and policy dialogue. It serves as a platform for collaboration across curatorial practice, conservation, education, and administration.

Founded in the late 1990s by a network of museum directors, curators, and scholars, MuseumsForum operates through member-driven governance, regional chapters, and an international secretariat. Its mission is to strengthen the museum sector through collaboration, shared resources, and standardized practices.

Activities include an annual conference and regional meetings, a digital resource library with case studies and guidelines, professional development courses, and joint research initiatives. It supports advocacy on access, digitization, and sustainability, and promotes metadata standards to improve online access to collections.

Governance and funding: A board of directors elected by members oversees strategy, with a small secretariat handling day-to-day operations. Funding comes from membership dues, grants, sponsorships, and service fees; many activities are delivered in partnership with museums, universities, and cultural networks.

Impact and reception: MuseumsForum is widely used as a hub for professional exchange and knowledge transfer. It publishes reports and guidelines that influence museum practice and policy. Critics note potential reliance on dues and uneven geographic participation, but it remains a central resource for collaboration in the museum field.