We know that collections without a physical space for interpretation and the
public do not make a museum. However, we now accept that a physical space
without collections can be a museum. Museums with fabricated exhibits that
demonstrate and interpret concepts such as many science centers and
children's museums are obvious examples. Rather than being the exception, a
recent data collection effort of the American Association of Museums found
that up to 20% of respondents indicated that they were not collecting
institutions. If we can think of another way of wording the definition that
remains inclusive of these institutions, that is fine. But we must guard
against a definition that is not inclusive of these museums.
Perhaps we can delete the whole problematic "often objects" part and have it
still work:
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. MUSEUMS THAT HOLD COLLECTIONS CARE FOR THEM AS A
PUBLIC TRUST AND PRESERVE THEM FOR THE FUTURE.
Helen Wechsler
-----Original Message-----
From: Milton Bloch [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 11:24 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Definition of a Museum
Gary,
I like the gerneral approach for its directness and simplicity but "...and
often objects..."???
Isn't this a bit like saying that a vegetable market it a nutritional outlet
that has stalls, awnings and often vegetables. Museums without objects
are clearly the exception and their status is still a matter to be resolved.
It seems to me that collections of objects are at the very heart of what
makes museum education unique and therefore they deserve a far stonger
position in the definition.
Milton
(Milton Bloch)
>>> [log in to unmask] 10/07/03 10:50AM >>>
Colleagues:
The following is one of the definition that has been suggested. What are
your thoughts about this idea. Does it adequately describe a "museum," or
is it too broad, too limiting, too inclusive, or too exclusive?
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.
Gary Edson
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Change ICOM-L subscription options, unsubscribe, and search the archives at:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/icom-l.html
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Change ICOM-L subscription options, unsubscribe, and search the archives at:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/icom-l.html
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Change ICOM-L subscription options, unsubscribe, and search the
archives at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/icom-l.html
|
