A museum is an institution that collects, conserves, studies and exhibits artifacts from past and modern culture. Its mission is to preserve, promote and share this cultural heritage to a global audience. From ancient civilisations and classical masterpieces to contemporary works and complex conflicts, the best museums in the world have perfected the craft of enthralling visitors with their carefully curated collections and transcendent exhibitions. The best museums are more than just buildings full of old stuff – they’re sanctuaries that encourage reflection and help us to understand our world in new ways.
Every museum and museum professional has a different definition of what a museum is. Some focus on the building, others on the collection of artifacts, and some are simply a place where stories are told. But a new ICOM definition challenges museums to go much further.
The new definition states: A museum is a not-for profit cultural institution that is open to the public that researches, collects, preserves, interprets and displays tangible and intangible heritage in service of society. It operates and communicates ethically, professionally and with the participation of its communities. It fosters diversity and sustainability.
Some commentators have argued that the new definition lacks a clear reference to education, which is still one of the main responsibilities of museums. Other experts have pointed out that the word ‘communicate’ in the definition refers not just to communicating with the public, but also to creating community. In a changing landscape where non-permanent pop up museums are more and more common, the challenge for museum professionals is to find ways to build community through a variety of experiences that don’t necessarily require the use of physical objects.
In 1970, Noble defined the basic responsibilities of a museum as:
He distinguished between research, conservation and study on the one hand and presentation on the other. He compared them to the five fingers of a hand: ‘If a museum neglects any of these tasks, it handicaps itself immeasurably.’
Noble’s model has become a cornerstone in museology and continues to be used today. Some people have proposed that there is a sixth task: education. However, this seems to be more of a matter of semantics than substance. The word ‘education’ has too many connotations with formal learning, and it is perhaps more appropriate for other kinds of museum experiences, such as the Griffith Observatory or National Constitution Center. As museums evolve to meet the needs of their audiences, it’s time for a more precise and up-to-date museum definition. The new ICOM definition may be a start. We can’t wait to see how it will shape the future of this extraordinary, enduring and important type of public space.