Individual Members

Individual membership is open to U.S. citizens who are eligible museum professionals, non-U.S. citizens who are museum professionals living and working in the U.S., or students enrolled in museum-related academic programs.

Your ICOM membership includes the ICOM Membership Card, which is the most widely recognized global museum professional credential, with 50,000 individual members and counting. This card gives you free or reduced admission at museums throughout the world, as well as access to more than 250 activities planned annually around the globe, a variety of resources and publications, and the opportunity to join up to four International Committees. 

Individual Membership Categories and Annual Dues

Individual Membership Application Form

Individual Membership Renewal Form

Membership Year

Membership is annual and runs from January 1 to December 31 of every year in which dues are paid. New memberships received after September 30 will become effective as of January 1 of the following year unless otherwise indicated.

When will I receive my member card and sticker? The ICOM-US membership application process typically takes 6–8 weeks from the time you apply to when you receive your membership card and sticker. 

→ Explore more frequently asked questions.

Individual Membership Eligibility Criteria

Working: Working museum professionals, or other persons whose experience or professional services are rendered to ICOM. Examples include:

• Museum professionals
• Professors working at or above the master's degree level in museum and museum-related studies, including art history
• Professional workers/personnel of special libraries and archives, in reference to libraries and archives with thematically specialized collections or holdings
• Museum service companies/independent consultants 
• Museum volunteer docent/educators, depending on the resume, employment contract, and letters of recommendation (active/not retired docents and volunteers need a letter from their museum supervisor/official confirming their active position)

• Further information required for those below (case by case):

  • Museum architects (working 50% or more of their time with museums or eligible at supporting category)
  • Independent exhibit media/graphic and installation designers (working 50% or more of their time with museums or eligible at supporting category)
  • Museum trustees (working 50% or more of their time with museums or eligible at supporting category)
  • Museum board members (working 50% or more of their time with museums or eligible at supporting category)

Retired: Retired museum professionals. (Retired docents and retired volunteers are not eligible.)

Student (Non-Voting): Undergraduate or students working on their master's degree or PhD in museology, museum studies, museum education, museum management, conservation, art history, or equivalent museum-related subject. A scanned copy of the student's ID is required for approval. Learn more about student membership.

Supporting (Non-Voting): Persons or institutions providing substantial assistance to ICOM both financially and otherwise, due to an interest in museums and the international cooperation between museums. Examples include:

• Media (such as magazine publishers)
• Attorneys and counselors representing museums and not-for-profit organizations in all aspects of art and cultural heritage law, policy, and practice

Resumes or business cards are required with all new memberships and also by those who are changing membership categories.

Individual Membership Application Form

Individual Membership Renewal Form