Folks, I could live with a version of Gary's definition, personally I
think at this time in the life of museum development, the broader the
definition which captures the essence the better. Then to reiterate
what I said earlier on, the for purposes of membership in ICOM there
could be a number of subsidiary qualifications appended to the
definition. This would also encourage other languages, cultures,
interest groups, professional associations etc. to shape their own
definitions for their own purposes. The ICOM core definition would
remain the "mother" of all definitions.
Martin
>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
>
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--
Martin Segger M.Phil., F.R.S.A.
Adj. Professor & Director, UVIC Community Relations,
(Maltwood Art Museum and Gallery & University Centre Farquhar
Auditorium), University of Victoria, University Centre, Rm. B115,
3800 Finnerty Road, P.O. box 3025 STN CSC, Victoria, B.C. V8W 3P2
Phone: 250 721-8298 Fax: 250 721-8997 E-mail: [log in to unmask],
web: http://external.uvic.ca/govt-relations/
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