A museum is a collection of artifacts that are stored and exhibited for the public. Museums usually have curators who are responsible for maintaining the collections, and educators who help visitors understand what they see. Educators may lead tours of exhibitions or write guides that are used to educate the public. Many museums also have architects, horticulturists, and web designers on staff.
Museums need funds to maintain their collections and to display them for the public. They also need money to research their specializations, such as art history, botany, animals, or egyptology (the study of ancient Egypt). Some museums are part of universities, so they get funding from that source as well. Some museums receive donations from the public. Others receive grants from governments or private foundations.
Often, a museum is run by a board of trustees. This group of people decides how the museum should be managed, and what policies the museum should follow. The board works with the director to create a system of governance for the museum. This system is guided by documents that set standards for the museum. These documents include an institutional or strategic plan, an ethical code, and bylaws.
In addition to these policies, museums are often governed by state and federal laws. Some museums are also subject to local regulations, such as fire and health codes. In addition, some museums are required to have a certain number of employees. Museums that are part of a university or college often have additional rules and regulations that they must follow.
While most museums have educational goals, some are not open to the general public and require a visit by an educator or researcher. These museums are known as research or academic museums.
The definition of a museum has been the topic of much debate in the museological community. In 2019, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) held a meeting in Kyoto to try and come up with a new definition for museums. While the committee drafted five proposals, they were not able to reach a consensus on them before the end of the conference. These five proposals are now available for ICOM members to comment on and rank. The proposal that receives the highest ranking will be put to a vote at the ICOM Extraordinary General Assembly during ICOM Prague 2022. This vote will be the final step in a long process that began with consultations of ICOM committees in 2021.