EULAC MUSEUMS - EU-LAC-MUSEUMS and the ICOM Definition of a Museum

Scotland

University of St Andrews

Consortium Coordinator

As Scotland’s first university, the University of St Andrews has established a reputation as one of the world’s leading research and teaching centres.
EU-LAC MUSEUMS is coordinated through the Museums, Galleries and Collections Institute (MGCI) located in the eminent School of Art History.
Museums, Galleries and Collections Institute (MGCI) oversees the overall management and administration of EU-LAC MUSEUMS project, and is leading on new research into museum education for social inclusion and cohesion.

France

ICOM - International Council of Museums

Representing the global museum community

ICOM’s network of members is structured in committees working in cooperation. The 119 National Committees ensure that interests of the organisation are managed in their respective countries and contribute to the implementation of the organisation’s programmes.
The Regional Alliances are forums designed to promote dialogue among the National Committees of a given region.
The 30 International Committees are global think tanks bringing together experts in different museum specialties.

Portugal

Museu Nacional de Arqueologia

Portuguese Consortium Member

The National Archaeological Museum was founded in 1893, joining the past (archeology) and present (ethnography) with the intention of representing "the Portuguese Man".

Throughout its history has maintained close ties of collaboration from north to south and still today is the most local of all national museums. It is therefore in the best to support and promote the community movement of museums in Portugal.

Chile

Universidad Austral de Chile

Chilean Consortium Member

Universidad Austral de Chile is committed to the heritage and cultural legacy of southern Chile, where its headquarters and campuses are located.

Founded in 1954 in the city of Valdivia, the University has responded to the growing needs of the organized community, mainly in the fields of education, research, culture and production. Its mission and vision are aimed at generating constant links with society and the disciplinary, technological, artistic, productive or professional scene.

Costa Rica

Museo Nacional de Costa Rica

Costa Rican Consortium Member

The National Museum of Costa Rica was created in 1887, its mission is to protect the cultural and natural heritage for the knowledge, valuation and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Due to its national character and its legal responsibility to the country's heritage, the MNCR has had different relationships and collaborations with the country's museums.
In 2003 it was created the Regional and Community Museums Program as a support office for the development of museums in Costa Rica

West Indies

The University of the West Indies

Caribbean Consortium Member

The University of the West Indies (UWI) is a multi-campus regional university serving the English-speaking Caribbean countries. The UWI campuses include: The Mona and Western Campus located in Jamaica, St Augustine and Penal Campus located in Trinidad and Tobago, the UWI Open Campus with campus sites throughout the Caribbean region and the Cave Hill Campus in Barbados. This regional campus has witnessed the ever-growing international student population, and as such the Campus is now home to students from over 35 countries.

Perú

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú

Peruan Consortium Member

The Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú was founded in March 1917, since that date has been developing its educational, research and social support, aspects that in the XXI
century place the PUCP as the first house of studies in the country, and of great positioning at Latin American and world level.

For thirty years the university has been generating and supporting projects that link the intellectual and social aspects as a focus of development within the institution and with collaborators for the benefit of the Peruvian population.

España

Universitat de València

Spanish Consortium Member

The Universitat de València today is the result of more than five centuries of history that have allowed to accumulate some knowledge and unique documentary treasures, and that have turned it into one of the best Spanish universities.

Throughout its history, the development of the Universitat has run parallel to the growth of the city, and has formed an inextricable part of its urban fabric, generating spaces for teaching, research, creation and dissemination of culture and science, as well as for the transfer of knowledge.

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The EU-LAC-MUSEUMS project engages with small, local museums and their communities. Often, the museums we are working with self-identify as "community museums", or "eco-museums". Our bi-regional research is highlighting both similarities and differences in how our museums operate, especially as regards museum governance. How these types of museums sit alongside the International Council of Museums (ICOM) Definition of a Museum is one of the core research questions being addressed by our bi-regional research.

Museum collections reflect the cultural and natural heritage of the communities from
which they have been derived. As such, they have a character beyond that of ordinary
property, which may include strong affinities with national, regional, local, ethnic,
religious or political identity. It is important therefore that museum policy is responsive
to this situation.

According to the ICOM Statutes, adopted by the 22nd General Assembly in Vienna, Austria on August 24th, 2007:

"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.

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EU-LAC-MUSEUMS and the ICOM Definition of a Museum

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