1. Definition, Aims and
Scope of Museums
Dr. Virag Sontakke
Assistant Professor
Dept. of A.I.H.C. & Archaeology, BHU

2. Definition,
Aims and
Scope of Museums

3. Origin of Museum
• The term “museum” is derived from the Greek word
'museion’
• It means temple of the Muses the goddesses of arts and
sciences.
• The museion or `musaion' which was founded by Ptolemy
I (who died in 283 B.C.) in Alexandria was a centre for
learning and scholarship housing rich collection.
• It has 400,000 manuscripts of baked clay stored in a
large building functioning as a centre of research and
education.
• Latin derivation of ‘mouseion’ is museum and it had been
restricted in Roman times mainly to places of
philosophical discussion.
• It was destroyed in 7th century CE

4. Historical overview
• The word museum was revived in 15th century Europe
to describe the collection of Lorenzo de’ Medici in
Florence.
• In 17th century museum was being used in Europe to
describe collections of curiosities.
• In 1675 the collection, of Elias Ashmole, was
transferred to the University of Oxford.
• A building was constructed to receive it, and this, soon
after being opened to the public in 1683, became
known as the Ashmolean Museum.
• The first national museum in the world was the British
Museum which was created in 1753.

5. Historical overview
• The word museum during the 19th-20th century
denoted a building housing cultural material to which
the public had access.
• A museum now, is an institution that conserves its
collection of artifacts and other objects of artistic,
cultural, historical, or scientific importance, exhibits
its collection of objects for public viewing that may be
permanent or temporary.

6. UNESCO (14/11/1960):
Any Permanent establishment administered, in
the general interest for the purpose of preserving,
studying, enhancing by various means and in
particular exhibiting to the public for its
delectation and instruction, group of objects and
specimen of cultural value, artistic, historical
scientific and technological, collections, botanical,
zoological gardens and aquarium.

7. ICOM: International Council of
Museums
• Definition of Museum According to the ICOM :
“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”.

8. What is Museum?
• Museum is a building where collections of valuable
and interesting objects are kept and shown to the
public.
• Objects of Archaeological, historical, artistic,
scientific, or cultural interest are stored for future.
• Selected objects are on display.

9. According to the (ICOM), there are more than 55,000
museums in 202 countries

10. Aims of Museum
1. Collection of antiquities and art objects
2. Preservation of the antiquities
3. Display and stored the objects
4. Creation awareness amongst the citizens
5. Organization academic programme for students
6. Published different books about the antiquities,
arts objects and traditional Culture
7. Install sense of national pride in the people
8. To make the national and international medium to
promote sense of culture of the Nation/State.
9. To improve the sense of Museum among the
student community.
10.Generate revenue

11. Objectives of Museum
• Acquire and secure the objects
• Proper display
• Undertaking conservation
• Education
• Training
• Documentation
• Create Cultural centres
• Accessibility of archives centres

12. Role of Museum
• Planning for community development programme
• Planning for community participation programme
• Activity planning during special day, vacation,
holidays etc. for school children or any target group
• Inviting volunteers, interns, artists, experts
• Participation in community programmes, fairs and
festivals

13. Functions of Museum
• Museum is the public service organisation.
• It deals mainly with objects: its exhibition and visitors.
• It has some responsibilities towards the objects and
society and thus, performs may activities on regular
basis.
• Image and popularity of a museum depends upon its
public friendly approaches, entertainment, amusement
facilities in addition to its contribution towards
research and education.

14. Six pillars of museum
• Research and Dissemination
• Preservation and Conservation
• Interpretation and Presentation
• Education and Outreach
• Visitor Services and Amenities
• Administration and Management

15. Scope
• Hold the collection for the future.
• Conservation and preservation of collections.
• Documentation of objects in museum collection
• Research
• Designing Education Programme
• Gallery Planning
• Planning for temporary, travelling and mobile
exhibition
• Periodic maintenance of objects
• Developing museum publication for the
dissemination of information

16. Conclusion
• Museums are open University
• Museums are very important institution devoted
to preservation of cultural material.
• Museum acting as a bridge between past and
present.
• Museum serves as an educational institution to
common people and researchers.

17. Any Questions ?