A museum is a non profit institution in the service of society and its development, open to all, that acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits in collaborations based on equality with diverse communities the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its environment for the purposes of education, study and enjoyment.
Art museums are often dismissed as stuffy or boring, but they can be powerful spaces for learning about different cultures and eras. The world’s best museums use carefully curated collections and transcendent exhibitions to tell the complex stories of history and culture that make our society what it is today.
As the world becomes increasingly global, museums face a number of challenges including increased competition for visitors and increased need to address the ethical issues that come with collecting artifacts with historical and social context. Museums are also facing pressure to become more inclusive and to change the perception that they are the preservers of a privileged culture, instead becoming an active part of society and a tool for creating connections between people.
In order to address these challenges, the world’s major museum associations have set out to define what a museum is. These definitions vary slightly, but most emphasize a commitment to the public and the collection of objects and assets. Some definitions also place emphasis on the importance of interpretation as a way to connect with and inform audiences, and others stress the need for museums to be transparent and democratic.
These definitions are important because they establish a common framework for museums around the world, a common language to talk about museum practice and a set of standards that museums must adhere to. They are also important because they can help to highlight issues that museums need to address, such as the need for more transparency and inclusion.
Museums are a vital source of cultural heritage and they can play a critical role in society by helping to promote and preserve our past, but they need to be more democratic in order to truly serve their public. This can be achieved by promoting the value of the museum to a wider audience and by developing innovative ways of engaging with our community.
Increasing the reach of museums and finding new ways to connect with our communities will be challenging, but it is essential for museums to continue to evolve in order to stay relevant. One example of this is the “pop up” museums that have been popping up in cities around the world to provide access to museums to a wide range of people, especially those who might not be able to visit their permanent home. The Griffith Observatory and the National Constitution Center are two examples of pop up museums that have had a large impact while being temporary. The definition that is finalized will be published in the fall of 2022. It will be available for consultation at the ICOM Define website. The process of consultation will be extensive and will be conducted in a variety of formats.
