What is a museum?
Museums are institutions that hold collections a definition that includes art galleries with collections of works of art, as well as museums such as the British Museum, with historical collections of objects. The Museums Association, the trade body for the sector, agreed a definition in September 1998: ‘Museums enable people to explore collections for inspiration, learning and enjoyment. They are institutions that collect, safeguard and make accessible artefacts and specimens, which they hold in trust for society.
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) defines a museum as: “A non-profit making, permanent institution in the service of society and of its development, and open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits, for purposes of study, education and enjoyment, material evidence of people and their environment.” ICOM is reevaluating the definition of a museum. Visit the ICOM website for more information.
