ICOM UK

About ICOM UK

ICOM UK is the UK's only museum alliance with a dedicated international focus. As a professional organisation, we connect members based in the United Kingdom and the UK's overseas territories to the global museum community. Through participation in collaborative projects and with a lively events programme, ICOM UK actively contributes towards the international heritage agenda. Our bursary scheme is designed to help our members participate in international museum activity.

Our current priorities include:

• Protecting cultural heritage at risk.
• Contributing towards best practice in decolonisation.
• Cultural heritage and climate action.
• Placing museums at the heart of cultural diplomacy.

About ICOM

ICOM is a global organisation of museums and museum professionals. It consists of 138 national committees, of which ICOM UK is one. Since forming in 1946, membership of the whole ICOM network has grown to over 50,000 members. Membership benefits include conferences, training opportunities and exchange programmes; involvement with subject specialist groups and international committees; access to an online library, practical tools and professional standards; as well as free or reduced-price entry to thousands of museums worldwide.

Events

ICOM UK hosts an annual conference focussed on a theme with global relevance. Attendees enjoy an extensive conference programme consisting of keynote speeches from international industry leaders, workshops and panel discussions. The conference is also an opportunity to network with colleagues and form connections across the museum and heritage sector in the UK and beyond. ICOM UK members also have access to a rich and varied international events programme, published on the main ICOM website, here.

2025: Regenerative Museums for Sustainable Futures The ICOM UK conference in Liverpool, 1- 2 May 2025, places cultural heritage at the heart of climate action.

2025: Embracing Transformation – Healing with Museums The 2025 Student and Emerging Professionals conference explored the healing side of museums, and how we can heal museums.

2024: Common Ground The ICOM UK 2024 conference in Belfast highlighted how museums are uniquely placed to create opportunities for difficult conversations between divided communities.