A museum is an institution that collects, preserves and exhibits objects of art and history in order to make them available for study and enjoyment. It may also house an educational facility or act as an advisor in the creation of cultural policies. Museums are non profit, non government organisations that are regulated by the state and must be registered with the local authority. They are usually founded as private or public corporations, although there are some national museums that are a part of the state structure and others that operate on a non-profit basis, but still receive funding from the local government. The term is often used to refer to a collection of art or artifacts, but can also include science and natural history museums as well as archaeological sites that are open to the public.
There are many definitions of museum, but the most commonly accepted one is that of the International Council of Museums. This definition states that a museum is ‘an autonomous non-profit organisation, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, interprets and communicates the tangible and intangible heritage of mankind and its environment’. It is the most widely accepted definition of a museum and is the foundation for the policies and practices of Icom, the international body that represents museums.
However, the definition is controversial and has been criticised by some, particularly from those in countries that are undergoing political changes such as the Middle East and Latin America. Some of the most significant criticisms have been about the omission of words such as decolonisation, repatriation and restitution, which are important to museums in these areas. Others have focused on the word ‘interpretation’, which has been seen as too close to education and linked to schools.
Museums are places where we can explore the innate sense of curiosity that resides in all of us. They are not only places to see beautiful art, but also to learn about world cultures and their histories and to become aware of issues such as globalisation and climate change. They can inspire awe in us and give our lives meaning.
Some of the most famous museums in the world are art galleries, with the Metropolitan Museum in New York and the Louvre in Paris the most visited, but there are other types too. Some are dedicated to specific people and events, such as the National Museum of China in Beijing, which focuses on Chinese culture, or the Alamo in Texas, which is a shrine to a historic battle.
Other museums focus on specific themes, such as transport or war, or on a certain type of object, like a ship or a house. The most popular museums, according to Statista, are art and natural history museums, but there is a lot of variety within these categories. The British Museum has over eight million objects, but only a small percentage of them are on display at any time. The rest are stored in its vaults and can be viewed by appointment.