When you join ICOM-US, you also become a member of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), a worldwide network of over 45,000 museum professionals, from 119 National Committees with over 3,000 institutions in 123 countries and territories, working to create a world where cultural heritage and natural resources are universally understood, valued and protected. ICOM-US, based in Austin, TX, is the National Committee of ICOM for the United States.

You gain access to diverse perspectives and resources on timely issues, plus conferences, meetings, and workshops held in the United States and all over the globe. You may become involved in up to three of 32 international committees, each focused on a museum specialty.

And there’s more: Your ICOM card gives you free or discounted admission to participating museums throughout the world!

ICOM-US facilitates U.S. museum professionals’ participation in the global museum community, in addition to representing and advocating for U.S. museums’ international interests within ICOM. To date over 7,310 museum professionals and 140 museums from 50 states and territories have joined the National Committee of ICOM for the United States.

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United States National Committee of the International Council of Museums Welcomes New Leadership

Kate Quinn and Arthur Affleck Elected Co-Chairs of the Board of Directors

Denver, CO (May 30, 2023) – The United States National Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM-US) announce the election of Arthur G. Affleck, III and Kate Quinn as Co-Chairs of the Board of Directors as confirmed during a vote at the 2023 Spring Board Meeting in Denver. Affleck and Quinn succeed Thomas Loughman, Executive Director of the Morris Museum, and Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of Smithsonian Institution, who have served as Co-Chairs since 2017.

“We have come to know Kate and Arthur as leaders on the Board and have great faith in them as they lead the United States National Committee and our membership into the future”, said Loughman.

Quinn is the Executive Director of the Mütter Museum and Historical Medical Library in Philadelphia, having previously served in leadership roles at the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, PA, and the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology also in Philadelphia. She teaches museum governance at the University of the Arts, and is the co-editor of ICOM-US’s 2022 publication, “What is a Museum? Perspectives from National and International Museum Leaders.” Quinn has served on the board of ICOM-US since 2017.

Affleck is the Executive Director of the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) in Washington DC. Prior to the ACM appointment, he served as VP for Development and then Executive Vice President at the American Alliance of Museums (AAM).  He is also an author and serves on several nonprofit boards, including, Bottom Line NY, Crystal Bridges American Art Museum-Windgate Advisory Board and Playful Learning Landscapes. Affleck joined the Board in 2021.

ICOM-US is a member organization that facilitates U.S. museum professionals’ participation in the global museum community, in addition to representing and advocating for U.S. museums’ international interests within ICOM. To date over 7,310 museum professionals and 140 museums from 50 states and territories have joined the National Committee of ICOM for the United States.

“We are excited to step into this leadership role for ICOM-US and appreciate the trust extended to us by the Board,” Quinn and Affleck said in a joint statement. “As we navigate an increasingly complex world, we look forward to collaborating with our international colleagues to better serve communities here in the United States through the dynamic work of museums. We look forward to engaging with change.”

Quinn and Affleck began their term on May 18 and will serve for three years. 

Other Board changes include the re-election of Jason Cryan, Executive Director of the Natural History Museum of Utah; Monica Ramirez-Montagut, Executive Director of the Parrish Art Museum; and Julian Siggers, President and CEO of the Field Museum of Natural History, and welcoming Lisa Kim, director, Ford Foundation Gallery to her first term.

About the International Council of Museums

Founded in 1946, ICOM connects and represents museum professionals across the world and provides a network for sharing knowledge and practice. Headquartered in Paris, France, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) stands as the sole international organization representing museums and museum professionals. ICOM is a non-governmental organization dedicated to museums and museum professionals, maintaining formal partnerships with UNESCO, the United Nations Economic and Social Council, INTERPOL, the Getty Foundation, and others.