The best museums in the world are sanctuaries of history and art, designed to slow you down and deepen your understanding of everything from ancient civilisations and classical masterpieces to contemporary works and complex conflicts. And while spending a few hours wandering the hallowed halls of these amazing institutions is truly magical, it’s also worth interrogating who decides what counts as a museum and what’s in it for us.
As we look ahead to the future of our institutions, it’s time to redefine what a museum is. That’s why the International Council of Museums (ICOM) is bringing together museum professionals from all over the world to take on this critical task. It’s not an easy one. The last definition was formulated in the 1970s and has been updated a few times since then, but this new version will be the first to address fundamental questions like:
What are museums for? Is it merely to preserve and exhibit collections? Or is it something more akin to cultural embassy – a safe space to bring together people of all backgrounds, interests and perspectives to share stories, learn and seek solutions to our global challenges?
Traditionally, museums have been defined as non-profit, public institutions that acquire, conserve, document, research, communicate and display the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its environment. While this is still true, we now know that museums need to be more than just places for collecting and exhibiting objects. They need to be active agents of social change that work in partnership with diverse communities and act as intermediaries between the past, the present and the future.
We’ve seen this reimagining of the museum in action all over the world in recent years, from pop ups to non-permanent spaces that meet communities where they are. The Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb, for example, collects pieces submitted by visitors to commemorate various failed relationships – from sweet and hilarious to heartbreaking. It’s a totally unique and brilliant experience that shows just how important it is for museums to think beyond their walls and create meaningful experiences for everyone.
In the past, many museum collections were built on the basis of power and privilege. The great museums of Europe were often the collections of kings or noble families. The great Napoleonic collections reflected his imperialistic ambition and, as such, were built on the premise that art and culture belong solely to those who are powerful enough to possess it.
This reimagining of the museum is why we need a new ICOM definition that addresses decolonisation, repatriation and restitution – issues that were largely excluded from the old ICOM definition. The definition being developed will be voted on by ICOM members at the upcoming General Assembly in Prague 2022. We invite you to join us in this important process! More information on the project and how to get involved can be found in our dedicated resource. If you’re not already a member, please consider becoming one now.