The latest ICOM News has increased the profile of the discussion.  I
hope that my comments below do not repeat many previous points.

It looks as though the core issue is "the fundamental character of the
museum".

The current ICOM definition has two parts.

A “museum” can be defined as a physical thing which is used as a
resource for all sorts of aspirations and activities.  In this model, a
"museum" is value free.  As with all objects, different societies can
overlay different values on top of the physical thing.  So museums may be
used for very different values, purposes, activities etc. - but still remain
museums.

Alternatively, a "museum" can be defined as a concept whose physical
manifestation may be remodelled or eliminated without affecting the
concept or the values behind it.  With this "museum as concept" model if a
museum has a profit motive, it arbitrarily ceases to be a museum.  The
concept of "museum" might be extended to include the “virtual museum”
with no collections or locus.

A definition needs to reflect reality as seen by society and those working
with museums,  amateurs and professionals.  Many (English) dictionaries
define a “museum” physically - as a building with objects held in perpetuity.

We should not try to redefine the meaning of the word in order to help
professionals raise funds or follow ephemeral political correctness.  Web
sites, visitor centres, science centres are all extremely useful
developments for people to gather information and  inspiration.  Museum
professionals need to encourage these new  developments (and old ones
like libraries and zoos) as partners in using many different routes to achieve
the parallel aims of empowerment, learning etc.  But these are not
museums (as the first model) even if attached to them.

In many fields of activity, there are levels of definition depending on what
the word is being used for.  Using UK practice for example, both
doctors and museums are general descriptive terms with no significant
value attached to them.  However a “registered medical doctor” or a
“registered museum” has received society’s value judgement in quality,
ethics etc.

An ICOM definition of a "museum" could include both the reality and the
aspirations, but it should not confuse the two.


Velson Horie BSc FMA FIIC ACR
Keeper of Conservation
The Manchester Museum
The University
Manchester
M13 9PL
UK
tel. +44 161 275 2656, fax +44 161 275 2674
Website: http://www.museum.man.ac.uk/

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