The Definition of a Museum

museum

A museum is a place where you can learn about a culture or a time period. These establishments have collections of objects that have cultural and historical significance and are stored for public viewing. Some museums have permanent exhibits and others have temporary exhibits. These institutions are an important part of any community. In some cities, you may have a museum nearby.

While there are differences in the definition of a museum, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) has been working hard to create a new definition. At the ICOM’s most recent conference, held in Kyoto, Japan, a draft definition was presented. It was a difficult process, however, as a consensus was not reached before voting. The old definition was first established in the 1970s and last amended in 2007.

A museum’s purpose is to preserve and display artifacts of human history from all over the world. These artifacts are representative of the knowledge and understanding of people throughout history. They also illustrate the beauty of different cultures. Therefore, a museum’s curators must learn about these objects and share this knowledge with the public.

Some cities have turned to museums to revitalize their economies. In postindustrial areas, a museum can bring much-needed jobs and help cities get back on their feet. One example is the Guggenheim Bilbao in Spain. In order to create a museum, the Basque regional government agreed to pay $100 million for its construction. While this was a controversial decision, it has paid off financially for Bilbao. In 2015, the Guggenheim Bilbao received 1.1 million visitors.

The Standing Committee for the Museum Definition has been working diligently to develop a new definition for the museum. They are seeking to create a definition that will be more inclusive, transparent and inclusive. In the meantime, they are also listening to proposals from the public. It is expected that ICOM will vote on the definition of a museum at their next Extraordinary General Assembly on August 24th, in Prague.

A museum is a permanent institution that collects, preserves, and presents the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity. They also make these collections available to the public through exhibitions. The goal of a museum is to increase public awareness and appreciation of culture. They also aim to foster diversity and sustainability, and to communicate ethically with their audiences.

In addition to collecting art and history, museums also collect and preserve other objects of interest. They may conduct expeditions to collect more items, buy artifacts, or receive bequests. Many museums have policies and guidelines for how they acquire and display these items. In addition, museums often collaborate with other institutions to sponsor joint exhibits. These joint exhibits are often limited in time and require an additional entry fee.

There are many organizations dedicated to improving the field of museum work. The International Council of Museums (ICOM) is one such organization. Its fifteenth General Assembly adopted a code of ethics in 1986 to guide museum workers. The code addresses issues such as museum management, cultural sensitivity, and the legal framework.