Dear Gary: I also agree on your comment regarding the trend that most of the definitions were taking. I am also looking for a more contemporay approach to the contemporary museum, a more seminal concept rather than an enumeration of activities. Yani -----Original Message----- From: International Council of Museums Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John McAvity Sent: Miércoles, 29 de Octubre de 2003 09:46 a.m. To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Definition of a Museum Gary, You have taken this a further step and I think you have it. I personally support adding "that serves the public" to be important, as well as the broadening of terms such as "scientific" which gives greater depth than the latest version. BRAVO. John ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gary Edson" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 8:30 AM Subject: Definition of a Museum > Colleagues: > > There has been an amount of discussion about the following definition: > > "Museums are permanent institutions that conserve and communicate knowledge > of the natural world and the cultural inheritance of humanity through > collections, records, memories, images, and sites they care for, > research and interpret, in public trust, for present and future > generations." > > Some have suggested an expanded version and other have recommended deletion > of words. The discussion appears to be following a very traditional > approach to the concept of a museum. Is this a direction ICOM should > be going or is it time to take a more farsighted view of museum and > museum activities? > > Regarding the above definition are we creating a situation that will > eventually result in a further listing of variables by identifying > "collections, records, memories, images, and sites"? Are all those > aspects of a museum (except possibly sites) not collections? > > A recently suggested definition that take an approach that may be considered > follows: > > "A museum is an institution that serves the public interest through > education, collaboration, communication, or research about social, cultural, > or scientific issues expressed as objects, specimens, or activities." > > As a word of information: Much of our discussion has been in English, > and this is an issue about which I have concern. I will provide French > and Spanish translations of parts of this discussion as I can. > However, one drawback with the an e-mail is lack of time to allow > translations between exchanges. To our French and Spanish speaking > colleagues I apologize for this situation and thank you for your > understanding. > > 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