Museums are sanctuaries of knowledge and history, places to slow down and look closely at objects that have shaped civilization. From ancient civilisations and classical masterpieces to contemporary works and complex conflicts, a museum experience can open your eyes to new perspectives and ideas. Museums also have a unique position within our societies, serving as catalysts for conversation and understanding.
But what exactly is a museum? The word’s classical roots suggest a temple or college of the Muses, and museums have long been viewed as sites of learning and reflection. The modern museum, however, has taken on a much broader identity. While learning continues to be at the heart of the institution, it has expanded to include other aims as well, including civic pride and nationalistic endeavour, tourist attraction and transmission of overtly ideological concepts. In their quest to be all things to all people, museums are often faced with the challenge of managing visitor flows and expectations, which can have a direct impact on visitor experiences.
While there are a multitude of definitions, a museum is an institution that collects, conserves, studies, researches, interprets and displays cultural, artistic, historical or scientific resources for the benefit of humanity. This includes both public and private institutions, as well as governmental and non-governmental organisations.
The development of a new definition for museums has been a long and difficult process, which will continue to take place over the course of 2022. During Consultation 1, Icom Define received richly varied and valuable responses from 23 National Committees, 6 International Committees, 1 Affiliated Organisation and 1 Working Group.
The resulting proposals reflect the diverse nature of museums and the challenges they face, ranging from the need to promote their services through social media, the importance of addressing issues related to the digital revolution in museum collections, the increasing need to reach out to new audiences and address changing public perceptions and needs, to the need to work towards the inclusion of concepts such as decolonisation, repatriation and restitution.
The Advisory Council selected one of the five proposals to be put to the vote at the ICOM Extraordinary General Assembly in Prague in May 2022. The outcome of the vote will be a new definition that is aligned with some of the major changes taking place in our sector, including inclusivity, community participation and sustainability. It will provide a clearer framework for the role of ICOM, and help museums meet the new challenges that they are facing.