Dear Gary and others,
DEFINITION OF "MUSEUM"
I must admit I have not had time to read (far less consider or respond
to!) all the proposals for a definition of museum. In spite of all that
has been written about the un-representativity of ICOM-L, I think it is
fantastic that so many have used so much intellectual energy on this
question, and it must be disappointing to read Giovanni's message from the
Executive telling us that none of them are better than the already
excisting one!
Now: Is there such thing as an ideal definition of "museum"? I think not.
Neither from an empirical, intentional, political or whatever viewpoint.
But let us not waste all the good thinking: We could well need a short
(1-3 pages), authoritative essay discussing various good definitions of
"museum". I think this would highlight the whys, whats and hows of a
museum far better than one definition, and perhaps become as valuable a
reference for the museum world as the one, authoritative one (which we
also need!). There is plenty of raw-material for such an essay to be found
on the ICOM-L and even more could be collected if we follow Giovanni's
advice.
DEFINITION OF MUSEUM AND ICOM MEMBERSHIP
Gary writes:
"It is the sub. para. (b) that, in my opinion, is a cause for concern. It
states, ³in addition to institutions designated as "museums" the following
qualify as museums for the purposes of this definition.² That statement is
followed by a list of organizations, institutions, agencies, et cetera,
that ³qualify as museums.² If that list is taken literally, then many
governments would seem to qualify as a museums because of their
responsibility for
³national² museums."
I think one must distinguish between a museum and an institution that may
become a member of ICOM. Correspodingly one must distinguish between a
person employed in a museum and a person whose profession is such that
he/she may become an ICOM member.
For many reasons institutions and professionals that are related to or
have something to do with museums can and should be allowed to become
members of ICOM. But we need not - and indeed should not - try to include
these in an all-encompassing definition of a museum or of a museum
professional or of a person who has a position that has to do with
museums.
Per
-----Opprinnelig melding-----
Fra: Gary Edson [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sendt: 5. januar 2004 23:16
Til: [log in to unmask]
Emne: Museum, a discussion item
Dear Patrick Boylan, Per Rekdal, and Günther Dembski and ICOM Colleagues:
As the person who started the ICOM-L discussion about a definition of
³museum,² please allow me to restate the reason for the discussion, why we
are having the discussion, and where it should take us. In doing this
review, I am responding to the questions asked by Patrick Boylan, Per
Rekdal, and Günther Dembski.
First, the Executive Council asked me, Gary Edson, to initiate a
discussion
of ³museum² as a part of the process of revising the Statutes. As most of
you will recall, one of the issues arising from the Reform Task Force was
the revising of the Statutes, and both the definition of a museum, and the
related description of persons eligible for ICOM membership are a part of
that process. The Statutes revision work being done by Ben Koevoets and
that
task force does not include these definitions. Also, the Code of Ethics is
being revised which needs either revised definitions for a museum and
museum
professional, or a reaffirmation of the existing definitions. The revision
of the Code of Ethics has been on the agenda for five years and was an
issue
of discussion at the triennial conference in Barcelona. The Executive
Council views assessment of the definition of museums as part of that
process.
Because we are the International Council of Museums, and the definition of
the museum profession and membership in ICOM is directly linked to the
³museum,² it is a reasonable place to start a discussion. Obviously, the
ICOM-L is not the only forum for discussion of this important subject. And
equally obvious, it is the General Assembly that decides on a definition.
The Advisory Council is a venue for discussion, but it is the General
Assembly that decides changes in the Statutes.
As Patrick correctly notes, the current definition has been discussed at
great length and bits have been added as needed. As it appears in the
Statutes, Article 2, para. 1, is a reference for Article 2, para. 2,
professional museum worker.
The following is the definition section of the Statutes as adopted by the
General Assembly in Barcelona on Friday 6 July 2001.
Article 2 - Definitions
1. A museum is a non-profit making, permanent institution in the service
of
society and of its development, and open to the public, which acquires,
conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits, for purposes of study,
education and enjoyment, material evidence of people and their
environment.
(a) The above definition of a museum shall be applied without any
limitation
arising from the nature of the governing body, the territorial character,
the functional structure or the orientation of the collections of the
institution concerned.
(b) In addition to institutions designated as "museums" the following
qualify as museums for the purposes of this definition:
(i) natural, archaeological and ethnographic monuments and sites and
historical monuments and sites of a museum nature that acquire, conserve
and
communicate material evidence of people and their environment;
(ii) institutions holding collections of and displaying live specimens of
plants and animals, such as botanical and zoological gardens, aquaria and
vivaria;
(iii) science centres and planetaria;
(iv) non profit art exhibition galleries; conservation institutes and
exhibition galleries permanently maintained by libraries and archives
centres.
(v) nature reserves;
(vi) international or national or regional or local museum organizations,
ministries or departments or public agencies responsible for museums as
per
the definition given under this article;
(vii) non-profit institutions or organizations undertaking conservation,
research, education, training, documentation and other activities relating
to museums and museology;
(viii) cultural centres and other entities that facilitate the
preservation,
continuation and management of tangible or intangible heritage resources
(living heritage and digital creative activity)
(ix) such other institutions as the Executive Council, after seeking the
advice of the Advisory Committee, considers as having some or all of the
characteristics of a museum, or as supporting museums and professional
museum personnel through museological research, education or training.
2. Professional museum workers include all the personnel of museums or
institutions qualifying as museums in accordance with the definition in
Article 2, para. 1, having received specialized training, or possessing an
equivalent practical experience, in any field relevant to the management
and
operations of a museum, and independent persons respecting the ICOM Code
of
Professional Ethics and working for museums as defined above, either in a
professional or advisory capacity, but not promoting or dealing with any
commercial products and equipment required for museums and services.
It is the sub. para. (b) that, in my opinion, is a cause for concern. It
states, ³in addition to institutions designated as "museums" the following
qualify as museums for the purposes of this definition.² That statement is
followed by a list of organizations, institutions, agencies, et cetera,
that
³qualify as museums.² If that list is taken literally, then many
governments
would seem to qualify as a museums because of their responsibility for
³national² museums.
Similarly, it is unlikely that universities or colleges are museums
although
they may have excellent museums, galleries, and museum training programs
that are funded, to a greater or lesser degree, by appropriated funds.
There are two ways to address the issue of defining a museum. One way is
to
have an increasing list of institutions identified by type and/or
collection. The second way is to have an inclusive definition that
accommodates a broad range of institutions. In either case, the definition
of a museum professional and a person eligible for membership in ICOM
perhaps should be a separate issue. As Patrick correctly noted there is
need
for a definition of the ³museum profession and museum professional.²
Most of the comments on ICOM-L thus far have proposed a shorter more
inclusive definition. I circulated many of the proposals, but have not
attempted to add or alter every word that has been suggested. However, I
will make a greater effort in the future to compile ideas.
Regarding the languages, certainly there is a need for more input from
persons other than those speaking English. I have asked for discussion
assistance from native speakers of French and Spanish. They will become
active in this process in the near future. As most of you know, it is
difficult to translate and respond by e-mail unless you have an excellent
command of languages. I understand the problem for our non-English
language
colleagues, as I hope they understand my difficulty.
One final note: There will be other opportunities for discussion of this
issue. The ICOM-L approach is but one means of stimulating interest in
this
subject.
This is a long message for which I apologize. Thank you for your interest
in
ICOM. I hope you have a fantastic new year and a peaceful 2004.
Gary Edson
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