Museums have the potential to inspire anyone to learn more about a variety of educational subjects, from art to history. They also have the power to change those who dismiss museums as boring or irrelevant by providing thought-provoking exhibits and collections that transcend their subject areas. While the exact subject matter will vary, all museums must be able to answer the question, “What is a museum?”
Traditionally, a museum is an institution that collects, conserves, researches, communicates and displays tangible and intangible heritage for the purposes of education, enjoyment, study and reflection. The International Council of Museums (ICOM) has recently updated its definition to reflect the changing landscape of the museum world. This new ICOM definition of a museum calls on museums to be democratising and inclusive spaces for critical dialogue about the pasts and futures and to actively engage with their communities.
A museum must also hold artefacts and specimens in trust for society. This means that the museum is not the owner and does not have the right to dispose of them as it sees fit. It must ensure that the objects are accessible to the entire world and that the rights of people in different parts of the globe to enjoy them are protected.
Many museums own objects that are never on display, and some own artefacts that were taken from people or cultures without their consent. This is why museums must be transparent about their work and actively engage with communities to resolve issues such as decolonisation, repatriation, and restitution.
Museums can be found in all types of buildings, from the large natural history museums with their huge halls to smaller galleries that specialize in a specific art style or time period. Even non-permanent, temporary museums such as pop ups can make a powerful impact.
There are also museum-like experiences that use few or no artifacts, such as the Griffith Observatory and the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. These types of museum experiences can still be memorable and provide meaningful information by telling a compelling story or creating an experience that resonates with visitors.
The word museum is derived from the Latin word for collection or curiosities, and has been used since the 17th century to describe collections of art and historical objects. The word was first applied to John Tradescant’s array of curiosities in Lambeth, London, and subsequently to the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England. Today, museums are more than just places to view a collection of objects; they are an evolving school where teachers and other museum workers also learn and become inspired alongside the general public to educate and inform.