Dear Gary, Bernice and ICOM-List-members,
Gary, again, you have done a wonderful job in assembling all these
suggestions and - together with Bernice & Geoffrey - forging them into
possible definitions and inviting us to comment.
First, as I understand it, most ICOM-members prefer a longer definition, or
rather a description of the various aspects, roles, tasks, ambitions,
missions of museums. Therefore, it is no wonder we have such a wide choice,
and I am sure more will come once our French and Spanish speaking colleagues
enter the arena.
And I also understand Bernice's point where she explains why "... more
particularised descriptions are important components of the international
legal instruments for protection of "human heritage" world-wide" (UNESCO)
Gary invites us to reflect whether "... the idea of "public benefit" (is)
just a politically or socially correct expression ..."
I would like to see that in a broader context. Analysing the 11 different
suggestions, we see that most of them:
- contain the 'cornerstones' of the definition I earlier suggested: "Museums
are institutions that keep collections for research and presentation"
- mainly differ in the way they specify each of these basic elements.
For example: "institutions" are described as being: permanent, public,
educational, cultural, 'of public benefit', non-profit, not for profit, that
serve society, that serve the public, etc. etc.
My feeling is that the specification one would like to stress is to a large
extend determined by personal taste, local political or cultural traditions,
legal situations, etc. The big question therefore seems to be how to choose
the 'best-for-all' specification.
Against this background, I think Bernice gave a very convincing explanation
to choose for 'suggestion 1", Bernice's most recent suggestion, which I will
therefore support.
However, it may also be useful to have - next to that longer 'explanatory'
definition - a short definition on which we can all agree. I therefore
suggest to add my rather crude and un-poetic definition as suggestion No. 12
With best regards,
Steven de Clercq
On 06-11-2003 18:53, "Gary Edson" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Dear ICOM Colleagues:
>
> This is the most recent November 6, 2003 communication about the definition
> of "Museum." You may have received this message earlier today, but I was
> informed by ICOM L that it could not be delivered because the subject
> heading had been used previously. This is not Spam.
>
> Before I send the suggested definitions for translation (again), I want to
> circulate the list being considered at this time! The discussion continues
> and I am very pleased to see the interest being shown in finding the exact
> wording for the definition. The difficulty I am having is keeping up with
> the word-by-word changes. I am not certain I have the most recent version of
> a proposed definitions.
>
> Issues relating to "permanence," "nonprofit," "scientific," and the
> inclusive or exclusive nature of "heritage" continue to be questioned. I
> believe these issues will attract additional attention when the proposed
> definitions are translated and circulated to our French and Spanish speaking
> colleagues. I continue to be concerned about the English language focus of
> this exchange.
>
> For my understanding, are we continuing to view museums as in outward
> projecting institutions that deal with traditional approaches to objects, or
> should the definition give emphasis to enhancing the multicultural and
> social diversity role of museums? Does the idea of "public benefit"
> adequately describe this role, or is "public benefit" just a politically or
> socially correct expression that is open to interpretation and may require a
> second definition?
>
> According to my record, the following definitions have received the most
> discussion. They are not necessarily listed in order of interest, but I have
> tried to place the most recently discussed suggestions at or near the top of
> the list. As always, I await your comments. Thank you for your involvement.
>
> Gary Edson
>
> These are your suggestions as of November 5, 2003.
>
> Suggestion 1:
> Museums are institutions that serve society by promoting knowledge,
> appreciation and conservation of the natural world and the cultural and
> scientific heritage of humanity through collections, memories, sites and
> processes they care for, research, and interpret for public benefit.
>
> Suggestion 2:
> A museum is an institution that serves the public interest through
> education, collaboration, communication, or research about social, cultural,
> or scientific issues expressed as objects, specimens, or activities.
>
> Suggestion 3:
> A museum is a cultural institution that serves society by preserving,
> researching and divulgating scientific, cultural and/or natural heritage
> through the use of collections.
>
> Suggestion 4:
> A museum is an educational organization that serves the public by
> researching and interpreting scientific, cultural and/or natural heritage
> through the use of a physical environment and often objects. Museums that
> hold collections care for them as a public trust and preserve them for the
> future.
>
> Suggestion 5:
> A museum is an educational organization that serves the public by
> interpreting scientific, cultural and/or natural heritage through the use of
> a physical environment and often objects. Museums that hold collections care
> for them as a public trust and preserve them for the future.
>
> Suggestion 6:
> Museum: A knowledge base of the tangible and intangible evidence of the
> cultural and natural inheritance of humanity. Such a collection, normally
> in the form of objects or specimens, preserves, promotes and presents this
> heritage for the benefit of society and its development on a non-profit,
> permanent basis. A museum is also a place, real or virtual, to which the
> public have access to benefit from such activities.
>
> Suggestion 7:
> A museum preserves and presents the objects, specimens, images, or practices
> of humankind to benefit society, promote education, advocate human dignity,
> and protect the environment.
>
> Suggestion 8:
> A museum is an organization that serves society by exhibiting, maintaining,
> or protecting the tangible and intangible evidence of humankind and the
> environment for the purpose of cultural enhancement, education, enjoyment,
> preservation, or research.
>
> Suggestion 9:
> Museums help people to investigate, recognize, and understand the world, by
> preserving, researching, and communicating information about the tangible
> and intangible heritage of humanity. Museums are permanent place, real or
> virtual, established in the public interest, to which people have access.
>
> Suggestion 10:
> Museums are established in the public interest and help people to
> investigate, recognize, and understand the world, by preserving,
> researching, and communicating information about the tangible, intangible,
> and scientific heritage of humanity.
>
> Suggestion 11:
> Museums are permanent institutions that conserve and communicate knowledge
> of the natural world and the cultural inheritance of humanity through
> collections, records, memories, images, and sites. Museums interpret and
> research for present and future generations.
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
> Change ICOM-L subscription options, unsubscribe, and search the
> archives at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/icom-l.html
Steven W.G. de Clercq
Utrecht University, senior consultant Academic Heritage
Vice-Chair of UMAC, ICOM's International Committee for University Museums
& Collections
website: <http://www.icom.museum/umac>
Straatweg 17, 3603 CV MAARSSEN, the Netherlands
Tel: OO31-(0)346-567.573; Fax: 0031-(0)346-578.843
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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