ICOM’s museum definition holds an important role in informing policy development, museum training, and professional practice around the world. Recognising its broad impact, the authors created the handbook to examine each term in detail and support museum professionals in translating the concepts of the definition into practical action.
The “Museum Definition Handbook: Words Inspiring Action” is organised into four sections, as seen below, and reflects the diverse perspectives of ICOM’s global membership. More than 2,000 terms and concepts were originally collected during the consultations, forming the basis for the new definition and shaping the structure of the handbook.
- The Museum Entity
- The Museum’s Activities
- Museum Operation
- The Museum’s Values and Purposes
Each section contextualises and analyses relevant key terms, considering their historical usage, cross cultural interpretations, and applicability in today’s museum landscape. Rather than serving as a glossary, the handbook is designed as a roadmap to help professionals understand, interpret and implement the concepts that underpin the current definition.
With examples from various regions and insights from the ICOM Define research, the publication encourages reflection on what museums are, what they do, and why they matter. It aims to support museums in applying these foundational ideas in meaningful, locally relevant ways.
