PIMA provides a forum for discussion for museum professionals of the Pacific Islands. It allows all museums to benefit from the expertise of other museums and constitutes a common voice to advocate the Pacific Museums to international forums and organisations

The Pacific Islands Museums Association (PIMA) was established as a regional forum where heritage professionals could exchange their views and work towards improving the quality of the services that they provided to the public. It is the first regional, multilingual, multicultural, non-profit organisation that assists Pacific museums, cultural centres and peoples to preserve Pacific Island Heritage.

The first PIMA Board was appointed in 1994 and the Association’s Vision, Mission and Aims were first developed in 1997. During the first years of PIMA, the Secretariat for the Pacific Community (SPC) hosted and supported the Secretariat in New Caledonia and in May 1999 PIMA was incorporated in Fiji as a Charitable Trust. PIMA was officially accepted as an affiliated organisation of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in 1998. Read more about the history of PIMA here.

PIMA develops community participation in heritage management and brings together over 45 museums and cultural centres in the Pacific Islands to develop their capacity to identify research, manage, interpret and nurture cultural and natural heritage. PIMA advocates the development of regional cultural resource management policies and practices, facilities training, and provides a forum for exchange of ideas and skills.  It provides and encourages regional and global linkages, which support Pacific Island heritage preservation

Practically, PIMA works through courses, workshops, as a forum for the exchange of values and ideas, and through the development of exhibits and other projects. PIMA communicates to its members through a regular newsletter PIMA NEWS, and through e-bulletins, workshops, symposiums and conferences.

PIMA is governed by a Constitution and guided by a Strategic Plan.

In 2006, PIMA members developed a Code of Ethics.

Find out more about PIMA’s Activities here.

Read PIMA’s Annual Report for 2006.