ICOM Colleagues,

Following are recently proposed definitions of a "museum." Your comments are
most welcome. I find this a very interesting exchange of ideas that
demonstrates the diverse nature of the museum profession. Please share your
ideas about these suggestions, or offer another suggestion.

Gary Edson

Suggestion 1:
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 2:
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 3:
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 4:
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 5:
A museum acquires, accumulates, permanently preserves, keeps records of,
and provides expert treatment of products of nature or human creations, it
ensures public utilization thereof, studies the environment from which the
products of nature or human creations are acquired and provides
educational services for scientific and study purposes.

Suggestion 6:
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 7:
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 8:
A museums is a non-profit making institution in the service of society and
of its development, and open to the public which acquires, conserves,
researches, communicates and/or exhibits, for the purposes of study,
education or enjoyment, the cultural, natural or scientific evidence of
people and their environment.

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