International Council of Museums

Definition

The International Council of Museums (ICOM) is a global organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the interests of museums and their professionals worldwide. It provides a platform for museum experts to share knowledge, best practices, and resources, while advocating for the importance of cultural heritage and its preservation. Through its work, ICOM addresses key issues such as environmental control in exhibition spaces and the ethical considerations surrounding cultural property and repatriation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. ICOM was founded in 1946 and has grown to represent over 20,000 museum professionals from around the world, making it a significant voice in the global museum community.
2. One of ICOM's primary missions is to establish professional standards and guidelines that help museums operate effectively while ensuring the preservation of cultural heritage.
3. ICOM's Code of Ethics outlines the responsibilities of museums regarding the care and management of collections, including the importance of environmental control to protect artifacts.
4. The organization actively participates in discussions about cultural property rights and promotes repatriation efforts to return artifacts to their rightful communities.
5. ICOM organizes international conferences and events that facilitate collaboration among museum professionals to address pressing issues in the museum field, including sustainability and cultural sensitivity.

Review Questions

• How does ICOM support museum professionals in maintaining environmental control within their institutions?
  • ICOM supports museum professionals by providing resources, guidelines, and best practices that help institutions effectively manage environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and light exposure. These factors are crucial for preserving artifacts and ensuring their longevity. Through workshops and publications, ICOM emphasizes the importance of proper environmental control as part of a museum's ethical responsibility to safeguard cultural heritage.
• In what ways does ICOM address the issue of repatriation of cultural property among its member institutions?
  • ICOM addresses repatriation by encouraging dialogue among member institutions regarding ethical considerations around ownership of cultural property. It advocates for transparency in collections management and supports policies that facilitate the return of artifacts to their countries or communities of origin. ICOM also provides a framework for negotiations between museums and source communities, helping to navigate the complexities involved in repatriation.
• Evaluate the impact of ICOM's initiatives on global museum practices concerning cultural heritage conservation and ethical standards.
  • ICOM's initiatives significantly impact global museum practices by promoting uniform ethical standards and best practices for conservation. By fostering collaboration among museum professionals worldwide, ICOM enhances awareness around cultural heritage conservation, encouraging museums to adopt sustainable practices. This collective approach not only aids in preserving artifacts but also strengthens the role museums play in addressing social justice issues related to cultural property, leading to more responsible stewardship and increased accountability within the field.

Related terms

Museum Ethics: The moral principles that guide museum professionals in their work, including issues of stewardship, representation, and public trust.

Cultural Heritage:

The legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present, and bestowed for the benefit of future generations.

Repatriation: The process of returning cultural property to its country or community of origin, often involving negotiations between institutions and stakeholders.