Matagorda County Museum Our Blog Redefining the Museum Definition

Redefining the Museum Definition

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Museums are sanctuaries of knowledge, history and art; spaces where ancient civilisations and classical masterpieces are preserved and displayed for everyone to see and learn from. They are places to slow down, explore and gain new perspectives on a range of topics from complex histories and conflicts to contemporary art. Most museums are not-for-profit and rely on visitors’ entrance fees, donations and memberships to keep their doors open. They are often a source of pride and local identity for their community, but they also play an important role in society as cultural catalysts.

The question of who owns heritage and where it rightfully belongs is a debate that has been raging for decades, especially in countries like China where many ancient artifacts that were collected during the reign of emperors have recently been returned to their original owners after years of being held by Western museums. Museums also face ongoing challenges around diversity, with critics pointing to the way they display and talk about pieces from non-western cultures through a western lens. The old ICOM definition supported these practices by stating that a museum “acquires…the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity.” But this wording divorced objects from their cultural context, which is what the Museum Definition reformulation project was created to address.

In addition, the project seeks to redefine museum’s roles and responsibilities in a world of economic uncertainty, social disruption and environmental concerns. It asks museums to rethink the ways they communicate their values and offer spaces for all in society to gather, connect and discuss.

The project will involve a series of workshops and meetings across the globe, with museums and their stakeholders being invited to join in and contribute their ideas. The goal is to publish a revised museum definition that will be adopted by Unesco in 2022. It will serve as a guide for future generations and provide the framework for a new generation of museum institutions worldwide.

Museums are independent institutions that collect, conserve, document, research, explore and exhibit tangible and intangible heritage for the benefit of humankind. They act as a global forum for sharing heritage and its interpretation, as well as translating the values shared by their communities in a changing world.

Managing a museum requires a variety of skills and talents. Museums need to be able to attract and retain visitors, raise funds, and find sustainable ways to manage their collections. Museums are also responsible for providing a safe and healthy work environment for their staff and volunteers.

In order to meet the demands of a changing world, museums need to reflect on their own practices and policies and look for opportunities to innovate in the ways they engage with the public. The Museum Definition Reformulation project was initiated to support this process by giving ICOM members, committees and other stakeholders the opportunity to consider and debate the current museum definition. The documents produced by the project are available on ICOM’s website here.