How can a new definition can create new museological discourses and new professions?
In this new episode of “Seeking Change: A new museum definition”, we interviewed ICOM Executive Board member María de Lourdes Monges Santos. Monges Santos is also the Director of the three Houses Museum of the Antonio Haghenbeck y de la Lama Foundation, I.A.P. in Mexico. “Seeking Change: A new museum definition” is a series of interviews aimed at exploring and understanding the prospects and challenges of revising the current museum definition.
The museum definition
Over recent decades museums have radically transformed, adjusted and re-invented their principles, policies and practices, to the point where the ICOM museum definition no longer seems to reflect the challenges, visions and responsibilities. The current definition, which has only seen minor adjustments over the past few decades, does not reflect and express adequately the complexities of the 21st century and the current responsibilities and commitments of museums, nor their challenges and visions for the future. As a result, ICOM invited its members, committees, partners and other interested stakeholders to participate in the development of potential alternatives for the museum definition in time for the 25th ICOM General Conference, which will take place in Kyoto, 1-7 September 2019.
