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Why museums do what they do?

Max Meijer

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. This definition is a reference in the international community.

International Council Of Museums, ICOMFor all professional museums world wide there is a general accepted museum definition:

In theory this applies to all museums

Wellthat is to say

Professional museums!

And professional museums are staffed by professionals, but may be very different types of museums...For example...

National Museums

National Museums

National Museums

Provincial/regional museums

Provincial/regional museums

Provincial/regional museums

Provincial/regional Museums

Thematic Museums

Thematic Museums

Thematic Museums

Thematic Museums

Thematic Museums

Thematic Museums

Private Museums

Private Museums

Private Museums

Element 1: WHAT MUSEUMS DO (FUNCTIONS):

A museum

acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its environmentThis general ICOMdefiniton consistes of 3 main elements:

Element 2: HOW MUSEUMS DO WHAT THEY DO (FORM):

A museum

is a non-profit, permanent institution open to the public

Element 3: WHY MUSEUMS DO WHAT THEY DO (VALUES TO SOCIETY, TO PEOPLE)

in the service of society and its development :

for the purposes of education, study and enjoyment

So:

Why?How?What?

Why, How, What, of museums in a simple effective model:

By Simon Sinek in 2009

Few Museums articulate WHY they do WHAT they doSome Museums know exactly HOW they do WHAT they doAll Museums know WHAT they do

W H Y Start all actions with this question... Why?

Actions like:

Start of a new museum...Development of a museum...Revitalization of a museum...Building projects...Renovantion projects...

But also, smaller projects:

Writing labels, captions, texts in museumsMaking an exhibitionCollectingRestauration-projectMaking a catalogue

Why = motivation,Based on shared values as start for action

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But, values like

Historical valueInformation valuePresentation valueEducational valuePolitical valueSymbolical valuePersonal valueReference valueReligious valueLocal valueSpiritual valueNational valueGlobal valueEmotional valueAdded valueAesthetical valueSocial valueIndirect Economical (spin off) valueScientific valueExperience valueUniversal value

For each individual museum the

answers to the

Why? How?What?

Questions are the basis elements of themuseums mission and vision statement

Mission:

Theme/content (subject, time, place) of the museum? Role of collections or sites in fulfilling the mission? Benefits for society (the public + stakeholders?)

Individial museums (museum specific)

State the museums purpose & overall goal

Used to guide the museums actions & decision making Mission (and vision)Statement

Provides guidance and inspiration to an organization Is a focus for all employees in their work every day. Is written clearly in an inspirational Manner (that makes it easy for all employees to repeat it at any given time).

Will build concensus among Stakeholders of the museum.

They understand and agree why museum do what they do

(and why the museum needs support or money or other resources)

Who are the stakeholders of a museum?

A person, group or organization that has interest or concern in a museum

Stakeholders can affect or be affected by the museums actions, objectives and policies.

Some examples of key stakeholders are funders, governments, government agencies, NGOs, owners (private museums), Local or regional communities, massmedia (press, tv) etc.

Mission statement

a declaration of an museums reason for being. answers the basic why do we do what we do essential for effectively stablishing objectives and formulating strategies reveals what a museum wants to be and whom it wants to serve

should answer the basic question, What we are

should answer the basic question, What do we want to become? (our dream)Vision statement

Some examples ofMuseums Mission Statements

Museum Kain identifies the uniqueness of Indonesian cloth tradition, which mirrors the cultural diversity, as well as a large part of the cultural heritage of its people. The Mission of Museum Kain is to inspire passion and love for Indonesian cloth. Using latest available technological system in retelling the stories and understanding of the tradition, Museum Kain intends to offer knowledge-based and information-based services, sharing on how to preserve, present, communicate, develop and maintain a successful modern museum concept. Museum Kain, Bali

The existence of the National Museum is anchored on the basic philosophy that the Filipino nation is kept unified by a deep sense of pride in its own identity, cultural heritage and nature patrimony. The national identity of the Filipino must be developed and enhanced, while including the spirit of nationalism and strong commitment in the protection and dissemination of its legacy. National Museum of the Phillipines

-Storing and displaying a collection of history, culture, and a series of goods that can be detected with basic human senses, relating to the stages of cancer prevention: promotion, prevention, early detection, diagnostic, curative, rehabilitative and palliative.-Making education museum that can also be utilized for community service, research and entertainment.-Work together with various parties to promote cancer prevention effortsMuseum Kanker Indonesia, Surabaya

Our mission is to enable people to explore the story of railways and how they fit into that story. Through life-enhancing experiences, visitors will gain greater appreciation of railways as a form of transport through an exciting, educational and memorable series of complementary galleries, interactive, web and learning experiences, telling the story of railways past, present and future.National Railway Museum York, U.K.

-To preserve, study, present and interpret Hong Kong's diverse cultures, with special emphasis on living heritage and creative culture.-To connect Hong Kong people with world cultures.-To engage and stimulate audiences with innovative, inspiring, educational and enjoyable museum experiences.-To support and encourage intellectual, artistic and creative pursuits.Hong Kong Maritime Museum

What do these mission statements have in common?

ContentUse of content Impact of content + use of content

Content

Use

Impact

3 museum basics:

Content (objects or site) values + data/information Use (presentations) use in storyline, exhibitions, experience, events Impact (public) added value for visitors and other stakeholders