In this article we will discuss about the meaning and functions of museum.
Meaning of Museum:
The word museum comes from the Greek word mouseion. In ancient Greece the mousein was the temple of the Muses, the goddesses of arts and sciences. Museum is an institution where artistic and educational materials are exhibited to the public. The materials available for observation and study are called a collection.
A collection may include scientific specimens, works of art and exhibits and information on history or technology. There are five main kinds of museums namely art museums, history museums, applied science museums, natural science museums and general museums.
Functions of Museums:
Museums perform the following functions:
1. Acquisition of Materials:
Every new object that a museum adds to its collection is called an acquisition. Museums acquire objects in several ways, of which field collection is one of the most useful. The scientists and technicians go outside to gather specimens and data on particular subjects which are within the scope of the museum.
2. Recording of Materials:
Each acquisition is listed carefully by specialist staff. As soon as objects are received, the data, the source, the method of acquisition and other available information are entered in the record register.
3. Preservation of Materials:
The primary purpose of museums is to preserve selected objects. Curators (persons in-charge of museums) know that no specimens will last forever. What museums undertake to do is to prolong the life time of the objects.
Preservation in a museum consists of two steps:
(i) Specimens must be put into a condition that checks deterioration,
(ii) The specimens must be protected.
4. Research:
One important use of museum is to extract as much knowledge as possible from the specimens. Many museums publish scholarly journals, series of papers and books to make available the results of research on their collection.
5. Exhibition of Materials:
Various members of the museum staff prepare the acquisitions for exhibition. The specimens selected for exhibition are put on view in numerous ways. The choice of approach and technique depends largely on the purpose of exhibit.
6. Education:
A number of universities conduct some courses in certain subjects at museums in order to take advantage of the collection. Thus museums help in spreading education.
FAQs
“A museum is a not-for-profit, permanent institution in the service of society that researches, collects, conserves, interprets and exhibits tangible and intangible heritage. Open to the public, accessible and inclusive, museums foster diversity and sustainability.
What are the 4 main functions of a museum? ›
The functions of modern museums is to collect, preserve, interpret, and display objects of artistic, cultural, or scientific significance for the education of the public.
What are the important functions of museum? ›
The functions of the museum include acquisition of objects/collection of objects, conservation of objects, carrying out research on objects, exhibition of objects to the public and documentation of objects.
What is the meaning of any museum? ›
a building or place where works of art, scientific specimens, or other objects of permanent value are kept and displayed.
What are the functions of exhibition? ›
Exhibition is commonly used for organized the collection of selected items and display in publicly. In simple words, we can say that- exhibition is just a collection of things for the display. Exhibition focuses on the identification, display, and interpretation of collective things also.
What is museum example? ›
For example, institutions funded by the national government—national museums—may hold outstanding international collections, as do the British Museum, the Hermitage, and the Louvre; they may hold specialized collections, as do a number of the national museums of antiquities on the European continent; or these may have ...
What are 3 things found in a museum? ›
Types of Museums
contain collections of paintings, sculptures, and other important works of art. Some art museums' collections cover many different styles and periods of history. Others specialize in artworks from a particular time period or a single art style, such as modern art. scientific subjects.
What are the elements of a museum? ›
Here are just five basic elements to get started on any museum layout.
- Permanent and Temporary Spaces. Museums generally house two types of exhibits. ...
- Safety of Objects. The items displayed are the reason your museum exists, so they deserve the utmost care. ...
- Traffic Flow. ...
- Ancillary Services. ...
- Comfort of Guests.
Museums play a vital role in the preservation of knowledge. They provide an environment in which people can learn, experience, and share information. Museums also help to support the creation and distribution of knowledge, by providing access to important artifacts and archives.
What is museum in one sentence? ›
Use “museum” in a sentence
Is the museum open today? The museum is open daily throughout the year. The museums attract a lot of tourists.
Look for museums with solid collection of artifacts instead of just multimedia presentations. Older and smaller museums can be great, but may not do a good job explaining what you are looking at. Newer museums can do a better job introducing you to a topic, and often have flashy and engaging high tech displays.
What does museum mean in art? ›
An art museum or art gallery is a building or space for the display of art, usually from the museum's own collection. It might be in public or private ownership, be accessible to all, or have restrictions in place.
What is the architectural function of museum? ›
(Museum) architecture is defined as the art of designing and installing or building a space that will be used to house specific museum functions, more particularly the functions of exhibition and display, preventive and remedial active conservation, study, management, and receiving visitors.
What is museum art definition? ›
An art museum or art gallery is a building or space for the display of art, usually from the museum's own collection. It might be in public or private ownership, be accessible to all, or have restrictions in place.
What is the definition of the museum through its social role? ›
According to the ICOM Statutes, Article 3, Section 1: “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 ...
