What is a museum? Icom finally decides on a new definition
The 50-year-old statement has been overhauled at the International Council of Museums conference in Prague today
by Tom Seymour
24 August 2022
The definition of a museum has significantly changed for the first time in 50 years after an unanimous vote by members of the International Council of Museums (Icom) in Prague today.
Representatives from more than 500 museums globally voted to pass the new definition at the Icom Extraordinary General Assembly in the Czech Republic capital, with 92% voting in favour of the new definition. It includes, for the first time, phrases like “inclusivity”, “accessibility”, “sustainability” and “ethics”.
Alberto Garlandi, the president of Icom, said the new definition, was “common ground for museums all over the world.” He tells The Art Newspaper: “This new definition is aligned with some of the major changes in the role of museums today. We have been forced to change. I really think that this this decision will improve the role of the museum around the world.”
The new definition, in full, reads as follows:
A museum is a not-for-profit, permanent institution in the service of society that researches, collects, conserves, interprets and exhibits tangible and intangible heritage. Open to the public, accessible and inclusive, museums foster diversity and sustainability. They operate and communicate ethically, professionally and with the participation of communities, offering varied experiences for education, enjoyment, reflection and knowledge sharing.