Dear Gary, dear all:

For the past many days I have seen the lively participaion in relation
to the definition of "museum".
I would like to share with all of you the enormously interesting museum
related material in many anthropologist´s, psychoanalist´s,
pshycologist´s and philosopher´s work.
Following, I quote Georges Bataille:

"Museums have clearly developed beyond even the most optimistic hopes of
the founders. It is not just that the museums of the world, as a whole,
today represent a colossal accumulation of riches, but that those who
visit the museums of the world represent without doubt the most
grandiose spectacle of humanity freed from material concerns, and
devoted to contemplation.
It should be taken into account that the rooms and art objects form only
the container, the content of which is formed by the visitors.It is this
content that distinguishes it from a private collection.
The museum is the colossal mirror in which man finally contemplates
himself in every aspect, finds himself admirable, and abandons himself
to ecstasy expressed in the art reviews."

I have no intention of changing anything in the eight definitions Gary
has offered us, but would like to remind you of the emotion,perception
and recreation (with the psychological meaning: to create
again)qualities of museums. It is here that I find Bataille´s word so
meaningful. 

Yani Herreman

-----Original Message-----
From: International Council of Museums Discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gary Edson
Sent: Jueves, 18 de Septiembre de 2003 12:07 p.m.
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Definition <museum>


Dear Collegues:

As previously noted on ICOM L (and in the latest issue of ICOM News),
the ICOM Executive Council is interested in updating the definition of
the word "museum" to be included in the revised Statutes. To include
input from the ICOM membership, a request for suggestions was circulated
on ICOM L following the June meeting of the Executive Council and
Advisory Committee. A number of members have offered ideas and
suggestions, but the comments have tended to be a review of past
definition instead of a projecting a clear vision for the future.

The discussion of an adequately meaningful definition of the word
³museum,² as most of us know, has been an ongoing process. In 1946, the
definition included 36 words. Today it is 208 words in length and has
the potential to continue to grow. The definition was expanded in 1956,
1961, 1974, 1989, 1995, and 2001. It has become a menu of museum types
that represent the expanding interests of the museum profession instead
of a definition of the word. The present listing also serves the purpose
of describing ICOM membership possibilities. It is possible that the
definition will continue to grow until there is a separate listing for
every institution, organization, or museological entity, and each
addition will be explained (and perhaps correctly so) as being necessary
for the profession.

The definition as amended by the 20th General Assembly of ICOM in
Barcelona, Spain, 6 July 2001 includes in Article 2 ‹ Definitions: ³A
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, research, communicates and exhibits, for purposes of study,
education and enjoyment, material evidence of people and their
environment.² Section (a) gives additional information about the
application of the definition, and sub-section (b) states, ³in addition
to institutions designated as Œmuseums¹ the following qualify as museums
for the purposes of this definition.² The Articles proceeds to list
various entities that have ³museum-like² activities and concludes with
three generalized sub-sections that embrace:
(vi) ³international 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;² (vii)
³non-profit institutions or organizations undertaking research,
education, training, documentation, and other activities relating to
museums and museology; (viii) ³cultural centres and other entities that
facilitate the preservation, continuation and management of tangible or
intangible heritage resources (living heritage and digital creative
activity); and (ix) ³such 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 workers through museological research,
education, or training.²

Obviously, sub-sections (viii) and (ix) do not describe  ³museums,² but
entities that may qualify for membership in ICOM because of their
museological association or contribution. Therefore, it would seem
proper to establish a workable definition of a museum, and give a second
listing of agencies and entities acceptable for membership in ICOM.

Other comments about the current definition, the wording ³non-profit
making² is confusing for some members of the museum community. The
interpretation of this expression implies that museums are not allowed
to charge admission, sell items in the gift shop, or access charges for
facility use. Income generation is often view as ³profit making.² In
addition, the concept of permanence is being challenged by the ³virtual²
environment [as noted in sub-section (viii)], just as the notion of
acquisition may be outmoded when dealing with intangible heritage,
cultural centers, a places of remembrance [also noted in sub-section
(viii)]. And, the word ³conserve² may be unsuitable for exhibition
spaces that are permanent facilities but hold no collections. Finally,
the current definition places emphasis on describing the museum¹s
activities instead of identifying the service outcome.

Perhaps a usable definition of ³museum² might be stated as:
³A museum is a not profit motivated entity in the service of society and
of its development that is accessible to the public and that presents,
maintains, or protects the tangible or intangible evidence of humankind
and the environment for the purposes of cultural enhancement, informal
education, enjoyment, preservation, or research.²

Once a suitable definition for ³museum² has been determined, a second
article can elaborate the qualifications for membership in ICOM.

Please direct your comments and suggestions to ICOM L for discussion, or
send them to Gary Edson, Museum of Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
79409 USA, <[log in to unmask]> or fax: +1.806.74201136.

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