The word museum conjures up images of treasured cultural relics, awe-inspiring archaeological discoveries and stunning works of art. It also refers to the process of creating a museum, an increasingly important aspect of modern life. Whether a museum is a public, private or academic institution, it has become a central place in society, providing educational and social experiences that help to shape the way people think.
Museums are a vital part of our shared heritage, preserving the past for future generations and connecting communities to the past in meaningful ways. However, museums have an ongoing responsibility to consider how their collections are shaped by the contexts in which they are collected and displayed.
As museum professionals, we are charged with caring for objects and engaging with our audiences to create meaningful experiences that are relevant to today’s global society. This requires a deep understanding of the complexity of our past, as well as an awareness of the power and biases that are inherent in all museums.
Museum professionals are at the forefront of shaping our field’s future, and we all have a role to play in helping to make museums more democratic. One key area is ensuring that all museum visitors can access the collections and enjoy the full benefits of museums. This can be difficult, especially when museum spaces are not accessible to marginalised groups.
Many museums are working to change this by promoting equity and inclusion through their collections, policies, and practices. This work is often challenging and involves significant time and resources. However, it is essential for the continued success of museums and society as a whole.
In his groundbreaking book, “What Is a Museum?” (1990), American curator and museum educator Roger Huxley argued that museums were first and foremost democratic educational institutions for the people. This vision – which aligns with the growing adult education movement – posits that museums exist for the public to learn and engage in a variety of ways, from advanced research to simply arousing curiosity.
While the definition of a museum can be a controversial topic, the process to develop an ICOM definition was a transparent and inclusive one. ICOM Define engaged with 126 National Committees and International Committees over an 18-month period to gather their input, culminating in four rounds of consultations. This included surveys, workshops, interviews, and face-to-face meetings.
Using this rich data, ICOM Define prepared five museum definition proposals for consultation. On Consultation 4, ICOM committees were asked to rank the five and comment on their top choice. This feedback was analysed and incorporated into the final two proposals that were voted on at the Advisory Council meeting during ICOM Prague 2022.