Why join ICMM?

ICMM brings together maritime museum professionals from around the world. ICMM's biennial congresses share knowledge and best practice from maritime museums large and small, but above all they enable people to meet, to socialise, to network and to establish relationships between museums which can result in shared exhibitions and staff exchanges, among other benefits.

Between congresses, the ICMM website provides an information resource to keep maritime museum professionals in touch with one another, with the latest news of museums and people. Member-only discussion forums on topics of current and more academic interest will become a feature of this website in coming months, so visit regularly for updates.

ICMM membership provides access to the world's maritime museum information hub.

Who may join?

You are invited to apply as a Full Member if your Museum, whether large or small, identifies itself as partly or primarily maritime or naval in emphasis, or if its collections include nautical artefacts or documents, or if it wishes to participate in a worldwide community of maritime museums and maritime preservation professionals. All applications for Full Membership are reviewed and approved by the Executive Committee and the full membership at a Congress.

Individuals with kindred interest are welcome to join ICMM in the Associate Member category. All individual professionals are welcome to join as Associate Members without review and enjoy all benefits of membership, except that Associate Members do not vote on ICMM business.

HOW TO JOIN

Museums wishing to apply as FULL members of ICMM should send by email, to the Secretary General at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , a letter of application, on museum stationery and signed by the museum's director or a board member. The letter should set out details about the museum, its collections, governance, staff, size, visitor numbers and background. Attach supporting documents as necessary. The application will be considered by the ICMM Executive Council and, if approved, ratified by the ICMM General Assembly at the next biennial congress. Membership fees are payable after an application is accepted. The Secretary General can answer any questions an applicant may have about the membership process.

Individuals wishing to join ICMM as an ASSOCIATE member should send a letter by email to the Secretary General at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it setting out their interest and association with maritime museums. On confirmation of membership, the membership fee is payable.

Please note that ASSOCIATE membership is not available to institutions, or to individuals representing maritime museums. All institutions should apply for FULL membership.