The Museum of the FutureThe Museum of the Future
Museums are sanctuaries of history and art, places that teach us about past civilisations and classical masterpieces and where modern cultures are preserved and displayed. The best museums offer a unique insight into an area, and their hallowed halls can often be emotional, with each item telling its own individual story of human relationships.
A museum is a social institution that collects, conserves, researches, interprets and communicates cultural heritage, through its exhibition and other programmes for the benefit of present and future generations, in accordance with universal ethical and professional standards. It is an agent of social change and a space for active engagement with the world.
As a result, museums are not static institutions; their values, missions and visions are constantly shifting as the points of intersection with society and communities become ever more complex. It is for this reason that museums have been developing, redefining and revising their definitions over the years. This process has been ongoing and it was recently announced that a new definition has been approved by the International Council of Museums (Icom).
The new Icom definition is the most expansive in its history, with representatives from 126 Icom National Committees and the organisation’s global membership taking part in the process of consultation. The Icom Define committee worked with a wide range of museums to develop the definition, including many from Africa, Latin America and Asia. The new definition is based on the belief that museums are public goods and they serve the public by teaching, inspiring, engaging and informing them about their cultural heritage.
In addition, museums are also able to provide safe communal spaces that empower people to explore, share ideas, educate, challenge assumptions and seek ethical, sustainable solutions to global problems. The Museum of the Future is therefore a vital component of our modern society and it is essential that the new definition supports these ambitions, as well as reflecting the responsibilities, challenges and opportunities that museums face in the 21st century.
There are many different types of museums around the world, ranging from zoological parks to art galleries. Some are free to enter, others charge a fee and some are even for-profit. However, one thing all museums have in common is the need to preserve objects and artworks for the benefit of the general public.
Most museums only display a small portion of their collections on any given day, with the rest being stored safely in temperature-controlled vaults. These objects don’t sit idle, though; researchers across the globe use them to study everything from the brushstrokes of a painter to the posture of early humans. It is this work that makes museums such a valuable source of knowledge, and which ensures that they are the most popular tourist attractions worldwide.