What is a museum? A museum is a not-for-profit, permanent institution that collects, preserves, and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its environment. The mission of a museum is to serve society by educating the public and sharing knowledge about a particular topic, culture, or period of history. The definition includes live museums as well as other institutions that acquire and exhibit tangible and intangible heritage.
There are many different jobs in museums, from collections management to archiving. Museums are critical public institutions that provide a public service by preserving and sharing important artifacts and exhibits. These institutions also seek to educate and enrich democracy. Museums require diverse personnel, and there are many different types of museum jobs. These positions vary from art handling to archiving, curating, and conservation. The types of education required are varied and vary depending on the size and scope of the institution.
Some job positions within a museum include building operator, public programming staff, photographer, librarian, archivist, groundskeeper, volunteer coordinator, development officer, and security officer. There are also many other museum positions that do not directly involve collections management. Museum educators are responsible for education and outreach, ranging from planning tours to developing and managing exhibitions. The work of a museum educator requires extensive knowledge of the subject matter and can be both challenging and rewarding.
A museum tour guide is a crucial part of any museum’s staff. Providing an entertaining and informative tour requires an expert in the field. Museum tour guides are also responsible for learning as much as they teach, and need to develop excellent public speaking skills. They should be able to engage visitors from different backgrounds and ages to help them learn about the museum’s exhibits and collections. If these skills are lacking in your training, pursuing an internship with a museum may be the best option for you.
The purpose of a museum varies from institution to institution. Some focus on education and conservation. One example of a museum in Canada was a collection of a historical printing press. One staff member recreated museum memorabilia using the historical press. Some museums have a general audience, and some target specific audiences, such as the LDS Church History Museum. They can be used as educational resources, but they are also an important part of a community’s history.
The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) offers a list of best practices and standards for the management of museums. These standards are based on the needs of visitors, not solely on the type of objects displayed. The definition of a museum varies by country and culture, but there is no universal definition. But the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) has put together a list of standards that guide museums across the globe. They focus on the need of a diverse group of people.
Many museums are called arts and cultural institutions, although this term doesn’t fully capture their goals. Some consider them educational institutions, but many adults don’t go to museums for education, and they see them as childish and stuffy. By not branding themselves as educational, museums can prove to adults that education doesn’t mean stuffy. In some cases, museums need to change the way they operate. It’s best to redefine the term “museum” as “cultural institution” and create a new definition that accurately describes the museum’s mission.