Museums are non-profit institutions in the service of society, open to the public, which research, collect, conserve, interpret and exhibit tangible and intangible heritage for education, enjoyment and reflection. They operate ethically, transparently and with the participation of communities. Museums are democratizing, inclusive and polyphonic spaces for critical dialogue about pasts and futures, acknowledging the complex histories and challenges that make up our world. They safeguard diverse memories and promote equality.
Many people think of museums as being arts institutions. However, museums do much more than showcase the art of a particular period or region of history; they also chronicle the present, depict our global society, and become touchstones for the future. In this way they serve a vital role in the social and cultural life of their communities.
Despite this, many key policymakers see museums as luxuries, leisure activities that only those with the means can afford. This view is shortsighted, as it ignores the benefits that museums offer to everyone in their communities.
The word museum comes from the Greek museos, meaning “a place for keeping” or “a collection of things”. Museums started out as private collections and have since grown into institutions that are often open to the public. They can be found in all countries and all languages, and their collections span all aspects of humanity’s heritage, including art, natural history, ethnography, archaeology, science, technology, and religion.
Some of the most famous museums in the world include the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Guggenheim Bilbao. Many museums have paid for their collections through the donations of individuals, foundations, and governments. While some of these museums are free to visit, most charge an admission fee. This money helps the museum maintain the building, pay for staff, and expand its collection.
In order to meet the needs of a diverse range of audiences, museums need to have different educational goals and programs. Some museums focus on the pedagogical, providing learning opportunities for children and students to develop their knowledge. Others work to foster passion-based learning, encouraging learners to follow their interests in order to discover their true potential.
Other museums, like the Kura Hulanda Museum in Curacao, help at-risk youth to overcome their personal challenges through the study of art. These museums are also serving the community by helping young people find a path to success in the workplace and in life.
Lastly, some museums are used as economic development tools for cities and towns. The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, for example, was built in an attempt to revitalize a city that had suffered from industrial decline. The museum has since created an entire district of high-end shops, restaurants, and apartments.
In a world of rapidly changing times, the definition of museum needs to be re-examined. Museum professionals are working together to define a new museum paradigm, which includes concepts such as inclusion, sustainability, and ethics. This new definition will be voted on at the ICOM Extraordinary General Assembly in Prague in 2022.