Museums preserve and interpret the primary tangible evidence of human culture and history. In this way, museums differ from libraries in that the items housed in a museum are primarily unique objects that communicate directly with viewers and provide insight into past cultures. Museums also play an important role in educating and inspiring their visitors to appreciate the heritage of the world they inhabit.
For all of these reasons, museums have long been viewed as “cultural embassy” and a vital part of society. But what is a museum, exactly? The question has been a source of controversy, not only among museum professionals but in the wider community. Museums need to be able to define themselves so that they can clearly communicate their purpose, responsibilities and commitments. In order to achieve this, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) is revising its definition. The new draft includes phrases that promote inclusivity, accessibility and sustainability. In addition, it calls for museums to be polyphonic spaces that enable critical dialogue about the past and future.
This has caused concern for many museums who fear that the draft will push them too far from their current mission, or even out of business. It also has led to a great deal of tension in ICOM over the way that the draft has been developed. Some members who worked on the committee have resigned and there has been criticism of behind-the-scenes political games.
The definition that has been adopted is an attempt to balance the needs of a diverse range of museum professionals and stakeholders. It is designed to help museums to better address a wide range of societal issues and challenges, including decolonisation and repatriation. It also encourages museums to move beyond a “cabinet of curiosities” approach and become more responsive to the needs of their communities.
Museums need to be able to show their relevance in today’s complex and interconnected world and to ensure that they are places where ‘wows’ are whispered, ideas are pondered, and imaginations awoken. This is a complex task, and one that requires collaboration and partnership.
A museum is a non-profit, permanent institution in the service of society and its development open to the public that researches, collects, conserves, communicates and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its environment for education, study, enjoyment and inspiration.
Museums are places where the magic happens. They are special buildings that house extraordinary treasures from across the globe. They are like big, magical treasure chests that can hold anything from dinosaur bones to gold coins to beautiful paintings to cool stuff from outer space. Often, only a fraction of the collection is on display at any given time. The rest is stored in secure and temperature-controlled vaults, where researchers work to discover what the objects have to say. They might investigate painters, the posture of the first humans or the evolution of species. In doing so, they create a connection between the past and the future, connecting people in new ways, and enabling them to understand how our world came to be.