ICOM launched a process for a new definition through a dedicated working group, ICOM Define.

The approved methodology greatly based on the expressed need for consultation,
moves towards a new phase of this process, aiming to arrive at the next ICOM General
Conference in 2022 with a museum definition proposal to be submitted for a vote.
According to the ICOM Statutes, adopted by the 22nd General Assembly in Vienna,
Austria, on 24 August 2007, the current definition is as follows:

“A museum is a non-profit, permanent institution in the service of society and its
development, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches,
communicates and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity
and its environment for the purposes of education, study and enjoyment.”

The methodology which was developed by ICOM Define and approved by the ICOM
Executive Board aims to be as participative as possible. A first consultation is currently
running to collect the keywords and concepts that each international committee feels as
relevant and needed into the next museum definition.  For this consultation, ICOM needs
you and your help. Although you might have answered the survey organized by your
ICOM National Committee, ICOM Costume is sending over its own survey.

Your answers are needed before April 2, 2021 directly to Joanna Kowalska,
Vice-Chair of the international committee ICOM Costume: jkowalska@mnk.pl

To help you to better understand the process and the methodology of Museum definition
by the new working Group ICOM Define, you can see the video:

You can also connect to ICOM webpage and download the pdf presentation:
https://icom.museum/en/resources/standards-guidelines/museum-definition/