ICOM STORAGE: ICOM Forms New International Committee on Collections in Storage

ICOM has established a new International Committee dedicated to Collections in Storage: ICOM STORAGE. This important step reflects the growing recognition of the essential role that museum storages play in the preservation, study, and accessibility of cultural heritage. 

The creation of ICOM STORAGE follows an extensive consultation process with ICOM members and museum professionals worldwide. This initiative involved a comprehensive survey on the theme of museum storage aimed at monitoring the situation of reserve collections throughout the world, resulting in a dedicated publication and a highly successful conference held in autumn 2024 at the Sorbonne-Nouvelle University in Paris. The event brought together more than 400 participants, professionals and researchers, highlighting the pressing need for a specialised platform to address the challenges and best practices related to museum storage. 

The Executive Board, at its 174th Session on 2 and 3 December 2024, reviewed the proposal to create this new International Committee. With 230 signatures from 34 countries across five continents, the request met all necessary criteria, and the Executive Board approved its establishment, recognising the significance of storage management for the museum sector. François Mairesse was appointed to organise the first General Assembly and elections for the new committee. 

'The creation of ICOM Storage is a response to major challenges. Storage facilities, where museum collections are housed, are currently undergoing considerable changes: reorganisation, sharing, empowerment, opening up to the public and mediation, transformations linked to climate change. In collaboration with ICOM's other international committees - notably ICOM Conservation, ICAMT (Architecture and Museography) and COMCOL (Collections) - ICOM Storage aims to bring together professionals who are passionate about these issues, in order to share their thoughts and experience with the entire museum community.'
- François Mairesse, Chair of ICOM Working Group on Storage.

ICOM STORAGE will serve as a global forum for museum professionals, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and advocacy on issues related to collections in storage. Members will have the opportunity to contribute to discussions on conservation, access, sustainability, and innovation in storage solutions.