Suay Aksoy (ICOM president): after the pandemic we will need museums much more than before

The International Council of Museums (ICOM), the body that represents museums around the world, has sent a message to its members, with a letter from President Suay Aksoy (pictured below). A message that is also an invitation to reflect on the role of museums before, during and after the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. We reproduce it below translated into Italian (theoriginal in English is on the ICOM website).

"Dear ICOM members, dear colleagues.

I would like to begin this writing by sending you my heartfelt support in these difficult times. I hope that you, your families and friends are all well and healthy, and that you get through this situation in the best way possible.

In the past few weeks, our world has become a strange place. Since nearly half of humanity is confined to their homes, it has become difficult not to wonder if and when our lives will return to the way they were before. And although the Covid-19 pandemic is, for many of us, the greatest global challenge ever encountered in our lives, this is perhaps also a time to reflect on what life was really like before. As with any other global challenge, this one needs a global response across all sectors, and museums have a role to play.

Museums have remained open during other past crises, and their spaces were available to communities, for exchange, for encounter. Ready to take in the present, to find meaning in it, and to share lessons for the future. This time, thousands of museums around the world are on lockdown, and we don’t know when they will reopen. With the exception of security and maintenance workers, many of whom are still working to protect museums by putting their lives at risk, most museum professionals are confined indoors. To those who are still at work at headquarters, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and deepest admiration, sentiments that I am sure are shared by the entire international museum community.

Paradoxically, even behind closed doors, museums have never been more accessible. The supply of virtual tours, collections, videos and lectures is immense, and growing day by day. It is as if the Covid-19 epidemic has activated innovation and digital solutions that offer a contribution to support the resilience of our community. Small museums without cutting-edge technology are demonstrating exceptional resilience by finding alternative ways to reach their audiences, sometimes even with a simple hashtag. Our sector is being forced to change at an accelerated pace. And now we have the opportunity and the power to put a stop to it better than we could have done otherwise.

ICOM and its committees are no exception in this wave of change. Despite the cancellation of many conferences and meetings, including ICOM’s annual meetings, our network is quickly adapting to the new paradigm. ICOM committees are already coming up with exciting alternatives for staying in touch with all members, wherever they are: webinars, social campaigns, and, most importantly, a stronger digital presence. I urge the chairs of all committees to move forward with their usual dynamism. As for our members, I want to reassure you: no matter how long the containment measures last, ICOM will not stop standing by your side. We will continue to reach out to you, listen to you and interact with you. And when it is all over, our international network will be stronger than ever.

We are fully aware and confident about the tenacity of museum professionals toward the challenges thrown up by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the museum sector cannot survive alone without public and private support. There is an urgent need for emergency funds and protective policies for professional workers and the self-employed living on precarious contracts. The crisis has pushed many cultural institutions, all over the world, to the brink of economic collapse. But when the crisis is over, we will need museums much more than before. After this period of bitter isolation, we will need to remember who we are and decide what we want to do for our future with the experience we will have accumulated. For sure, we will be more involved with our communities so that we can build a more sustainable future for our planet.

Dear colleagues, ICOM has represented the international museum community since 1946, continuing to tirelessly defend the vital role of museums for their communities through uncertain and challenging times. We will continue to do so during and after the pandemic. The crisis calls us to make profound changes, and we will adapt our work to continue our mission with the invaluable support of our members, so that they too can continue to support the well-being of the community in their respective environments. The solidarity, dedication and professionalism of each of you is and always will be our collective strength.

Suay Aksoy, president of ICOM "

Suay Aksoy (ICOM president): after the pandemic we will need museums much more than before

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.