AICCM Strategic Plan – 2025-2030

 Download the 2025-30 Strategic Plan

The Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material (AICCM) is the national peak body representing conservators, conservation scientists, students, and allied professionals committed to preserving cultural heritage.

As the voice of a dynamic and diverse profession, AICCM advances conservation practice, fosters professional growth, and builds partnerships that protect our shared heritage for future generations. The 2025–2030 Strategic Plan outlines AICCM’s roadmap for delivering lasting impact through five interconnected strategic objectives:

  • Organisational Resilience and Strategic Leadership
  • Member Empowerment and Network Development
  • Public Engagement, Partnerships, and Advocacy
  • First Nations Leadership, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
  • Disaster Resilience and Sustainability

Underpinning these objectives is an impact framework that guides AICCM’s contributions to cultural preservation, social inclusion, economic sustainability, and environmental resilience. The plan is action-oriented, with measurable deliverables across all five years to ensure accountability and momentum. From embedding First Nations co-leadership to launching a Digital Resource Hub, Professional Development Program and National Disaster Preparedness and Response Framework, this plan reaffirms AICCM’s commitment to innovation, integrity, and collaboration.

Together, these strategic priorities shape a resilient future for the profession and for Australia’s
cultural legacy.

Strategy

AICCM will deliver its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan through partnerships and collaborations with diverse communities, governments, the cultural sector, corporate partners, and donors.

Our Why

The vision, mission, and values that follow are shaped by our purpose and collectively define our strategic direction for the years ahead.

Purpose:
AICCM exists to strengthen conservation practice in Australia. We advocate for and amplify the impact of preserving cultural heritage.

Mission:
To lead, connect, and empower a diverse Australian conservation community to safeguard cultural heritage through excellence, inclusive collaboration, and strategic advocacy.

Vision:
Australian conservators are nationally recognised as essential partners in preserving cultural heritage through collaboration with communities, government, and industry.

Values

  • Upholding the highest standards of practice and ethics in conservation.
  • Demonstrating expertise and leadership in the preservation of cultural heritage.
  • Ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical stewardship in all our actions.
  • Leading with openness and responsibility to build trust and credibility.

  • Promoting environmentally responsible and climate- adaptive approaches to conservation.
  • Building long-term capacity and preparedness in adapting and safeguarding cultural heritage to a changing world.
  • Enhancing professional resilience through member support, continuous learning, organisational adaptability and creating a mentally healthy and safe profession.
  • Championing the value of conservation to the Australian nation, decision-makers, and the global networks.
  • Inspiring public awareness and supporting cultural custodians in their preservation efforts.

  • Honouring the diversity and histories of all communities, including First Nations.
  • Fostering inclusive, connected, and collaborative conservation practices.
  • Building meaningful partnerships across sectors, communities, and global networks.
  • Sharing knowledge and strengthening collective action for greater impact.

Objectives and Implementation Strategies

Key objectives guiding AICCM’s efforts over the next five years, supported by clear implementation strategies. Each objective reflects our commitment to delivering on our purpose, vision, and mission, providing a structured pathway for action, accountability, and impact across the conservation profession and the communities we serve.

Objective: Build a resilient, future-ready organisation with adaptive governance, financial stability, and digital competence.

Implementation Strategies:

  • Transition from volunteer-led to professional management, investing in dedicated leadership to drive innovation, programs, and maximise AICCM’s potential.
  • Employ an Executive Director and transition to a Board structure for strategic and sustainable leadership.
  • Diversify revenue streams, including government grants, philanthropy, and corporate partnerships.
  • Modernise digital infrastructure for effective business operations, member access, and community engagement.
  • Implement a comprehensive Business Continuity Plan and a Leadership Succession Plan to maintain stability.
  • Develop metrics to measure and demonstrate organisational impact.

Objective: Enhance member value, career development, and global networking through professional training, digital learning, and strategic partnerships.

Implementation Strategies:

  • Expand AICCM membership to include broader cultural heritage professionals and emerging voices in conservation.
  • Develop a 5-Year Professional Development Program, with mentorship, hands-on workshops, and leadership pathways for emerging, mid- career, and senior professionals.
  • Launch a Digital Resource Hub on the AICCM website, offering webinars, online courses, and virtual networking opportunities.
  • Strengthen Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and regional networks through in-person and virtual events, including outreach to remote and underserved areas.
  • Implement Innovation and Internship Grants to fund projects in sustainable conservation practices, new technologies, community-driven initiatives, and skills development.

Objective: Strengthen the visibility, understanding, and influence of the AICCM, Australian conservators, and conservation through community engagement, strategic partnerships, and advocacy initiatives.

Implementation Strategies:

  • Develop advocacy toolkits to empower members in engaging with communities, institutions, and policymakers on conservation issues.
  • Build strategic partnerships with the GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) sector, universities, government agencies, and international conservation organisations.
  • Increase public engagement through in-person training, community workshops, and digital outreach to raise awareness of conservation’s impact.
  • Collaborate with media outlets to showcase compelling stories of conservation successes and challenges.
  • Implement a Communications and Publications Strategy to align with AICCM’s strategic goals and enhance knowledge sharing.

Objective: Develop co-leadership with First Nations peoples and partnerships with multicultural communities to support self-determined heritage preservation. Foster inclusivity, cultural awareness, and equitable access in conservation.

Implementation Strategies:

  • Implement the AICCM Cultural Safety Framework across all governance, operations, and programs and deliver training to members and AICCM staff.
  • Ensure representation of First Nations, multicultural, and diverse communities within AICCM leadership and decision-making structures.
  • Foster reciprocal partnerships with First Nations and culturally diverse communities to promote knowledge sharing and leadership in conservation practices, including working with First Nations and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) consultants.
  • Deliver targeted outreach programs funded by government, corporate donors, and partners. Provide grants for First Nations and diverse communities to participate in AICCM events and initiatives.

Objective: Position AICCM as a leader in disaster resilience, enhancing preparedness, recovery, and sustainable professional standards and practices.

Implementation Strategies:

  • Partner with emergency services, cultural institutions, cross-sector organisations, and government bodies to enhance coordinated disaster preparedness and response.
  • Establish a National Disaster Preparedness and Response Framework for cultural heritage in Australia.
  • Advocate for policies that strengthen climate resilience in heritage conservation.
  • Develop a Sustainable Conservation Program that provides resources and training in sustainability and sustainable practices for professionals and communities.
  • Integrate environmental stewardship and climate-adaptive strategies across all AICCM operations and programs.

Impact Framework

This Impact Framework defines the cultural, social, economic, and environmental impacts that will emerge from the strategic objectives and initiatives outlined in the AICCM 2025–2030 Strategic Plan.

Impact Statement: AICCM enhances the preservation and celebration of Australia’s cultural 4. heritage, ensuring that tangible and intangible heritage is protected, accessible, and respected across generations.

Strategic Alignment:

  • Leadership in conservation practices that safeguard tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
  • Co-leadership with First Nations, multi-cultural and diverse communities to preserve cultural expressions.
  • Public engagement strategies to amplify awareness and appreciation of cultural heritage.

Impact Statement: AICCM fosters inclusive, community-driven heritage conservation that strengthens social cohesion, promotes equity, and supports diverse cultural narratives.

Strategic Alignment:

  • Empowerment of members through professional development and leadership opportunities.
  • Targeted outreach to underrepresented groups, including First Nations and multicultural communities.
  • Cultural Safety Framework and training to build trust and inclusivity in conservation practices.

Impact Statement: AICCM drives economic growth through sustainable conservation practices, strategic partnerships, and enhanced global engagement in heritage preservation.

Strategic Alignment:

  • Diversification of revenue streams to ensure financial resilience.
  • Promotion of conservation as an economic contributor through tourism and cultural events.
  • Strengthened partnerships with government, GLAM institutions, and international networks.

Impact Statement: AICCM leads in disaster resilience and sustainable practices, ensuring cultural heritage is protected against environmental threats and climate change impacts.

Strategic Alignment:

  • National Disaster Preparedness and Response Framework to protect cultural heritage during crises.
  • Advocacy for climate resilience policies within the heritage conservation sector.
  • Sustainable Conservation Program promoting sustainable practices in heritage preservation.

The Design

The designs featured in our Strategic Plan 2025-2030 are visual elements extracted from AICCM’s Reconciliation Action Plan and the 2025 National Conference.

About the design: The AICCM Strategic Plan bespoke design was created by ingeous studios. It tells the story of the AICCM working to improve inclusivity and to share knowledge and understanding throughout its activities.

The stylised design represents the communities, people and collecting institutions which the AICCM works with to conserve Australian First Nations cultural heritage.

Each element forms a part of the cultural jigsaw, illustrating the connections between First Nations communities and cultural heritage collections, First Nations knowledge lines and knowledge sharing, and non-indigenous museums and collections.

The design studio: The design and collateral elements were designed by Indigenous design and digital agency ingeous studios based in Cairns.

Creative Director and founder of ingeous studios, Leigh Harris is a proud Kangoulu and Gungarri man who is also proud of Italian and Welsh heritage, draws upon his Aboriginal cultural heritage and knowledge to influence his design works across all of his design works.

 Download the 2025-30 Strategic Plan

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