Museum: A building that contains an important collection of cultural, artistic, historical or scientific artefacts. It is a non-profit public institution that conserves, researches, studies and exhibits these objects for the benefit of the general public.
The word “museum” comes from the Greek Mouseion, the place dedicated to the nine sister goddesses of the arts and sciences, the Muses. The term was borrowed into Latin about 300 years ago and then into English, where it entered common usage about 150 years later. Today museums are among the most popular places to visit in many countries and serve as a vital source of inspiration and information. They attract millions of visitors and generate billions of dollars in economic activity.
As we look to the future of museums, it is useful to reflect on their purpose and how they might evolve over time. The Museum Definition Project (MDP) of ICOM Define began in 2017 with a call for proposals and five working papers. Museum professionals all over the world contributed to the debate and ICOM committees ranked these proposals on Consultation 2 and 3. On the basis of these rankings ICOM Define has elaborated two final proposals for consideration by the Advisory Council, which will select one of them for a vote during ICOM Prague 2022.
In its proposal the MDP argues that the core functions of a museum are the collecting, care, research and display of artefacts, and the exhibition of these collections to serve the public. The MDP stresses the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to this task. Its goal is to develop a common understanding of the meaning and value of the museum.
A rethinking of the mission statement of a museum is also necessary. A new, more precise, and more meaningful way of expressing this mission is needed in order to facilitate the emergence of a truly modern museological culture. This culture is characterized by new approaches to the responsibilities of museums, and it requires the establishment of an international framework for a museum’s charter purposes and mission statements.
A clear and widely accepted definition of the museum will also make it easier for it to establish its role in society as an instrument for the conservation of heritage, and to engage in the activities of its field. This will enable it to strengthen its relationship with UNESCO and other major organizations involved in the protection of the world’s cultural heritage and respond more effectively to the challenges of the digital age.
Museums have a central role in the future of education, and can help students discover their passion, learn through hands-on experimentation, and develop problem-solving skills. The future of learning will be characterized by self-directed, lifelong learning and the need for institutions like museums to become more relevant than ever.