A museum is an institution that gathers, conserves and displays cultural, artistic and scientific objects for public education, enrichment and enjoyment. It embodies the universal value of humanity’s tangible and intangible heritage.
While many of us think of a museum as a building filled with old things, museums are much more than that. The term itself has classical origins: it comes from the Greek museion, meaning ‘seat of the muses’ and used to refer to a philosophical academy or a place for intellectual discussions.
But today, museums are not only spaces for sharing knowledge and culture but also places that seek to connect with their communities in a broader sense. They are embracing new methods and technologies to offer diverse ways of learning, participation and dialogue. They are addressing challenges such as decolonisation, repatriation and restitution. They are embracing diversity and inclusion, while still protecting the integrity of their collections.
Museums are a part of our common history and they have a vital role to play in our shared future. They are at the heart of the world’s cultures, representing a wide spectrum of human creativity and expression. This heritage is a unique resource for our common understanding of humanity and the planet, contributing to peace and development.
Whether it is the collection of Auguste Rodin in the French town of Meudon, or the collection of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, a museum collects and displays the artefacts that are part of our collective heritage. Museums are open to the public and accessible, they operate in a transparent manner, they are inclusive, they foster sustainability, and they offer varied experiences for education, enjoyment, reflection and knowledge sharing.
The word museum evokes different feelings and emotions in each of us, but it is hard to agree on one definition of the museum. Major professional organizations from around the world each offer some version of what a museum is, and the different perspectives are equally valuable. Nevertheless, it is important that we reach a consensus about the museum definition in order to move forward as an international community.
In this context, the Museum Definition Working Party (MDPP2) and ICOM Define worked to develop a methodology that aims at more transparency, better communication and deeper listening. This methodology will guide the next phase of the process, aiming at arriving at ICOM’s next General Assembly in Prague in 2022 with a museum definition proposal that can be voted on.
The approved methodology allows for a greater level of transparency and care in the consultation process, with each of ICOM’s 141 National Committees, International Committees, Regional Alliances and Affiliated Organisations being asked to submit a museum definition proposal. ICOM Define will analyse all proposals, and on the basis of the results of Consultation 1 and the information received from committees, will select the most suitable to be presented for a vote at the Extraordinary General Assembly in 2020. More details about the methodology can be found in the Museum Definition Space of the ICOM website.