At a recent Accreditation Redesign ‘Show & Tell’ meeting, Arts Council England shared that ICOM’s definition of a museum will be used for the new Accreditation Standard for museums in the United Kingdom.
ICOM’s definition of a museum was approved at the General Conference in Prague in 2022 following an 18-month participatory process involving hundreds of museum professionals from 126 National Committees from all over the world.
ICOM’s definition reads:
“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. They operate and communicate ethically, professionally and with the participation of communities, offering varied experiences for education, enjoyment, reflection and knowledge sharing.”
The definition recognises some of the major changes in the role of museums today, acknowledging the importance of inclusivity, community participation and sustainability for museums worldwide.
Commenting on the decision to use ICOM’s definition in the new Accreditation Standard, Isabel Wilson, Interim Director Museums at Arts Council England, said:
‘UK public museums come in lots of different shapes and sizes. As the Museum Accreditation Scheme is an endorsement of a well-run museum, we need to work with an up-to-date definition of a museum that reflects this diversity. The ICOM definition of a museum, having been reviewed and agreed in 2022, reflects an international consensus on the key characteristics of a modern museum.
That’s why the UK Accreditation Partnership is using this definition of a museum to guide the redesign of the Museum Accreditation Scheme. This definition will inform the latest iteration of the long-running Accreditation Standard, which has been supporting museum development for more than 35 years.’
Maria Blyzinsky, Co-Chair of ICOM UK added:
‘ICOM’s definition affirms museums – in their many variations – as spaces of public trust, learning and dialogue at a time when cultural narratives are increasingly contested. By emphasising inclusivity, ethical governance and sustainability, ICOM’s definition places museums firmly at the heart of international diplomacy, guiding us towards a more socially engaged and globally responsible future. We welcome it being adopted by Arts Council England to underpin their new Accreditation Standard.’
Arts Council England plans to publish the new Accreditation Standard later in 2026. You can keep up to date with the progress of the Redesign on the Arts Council’s Accreditation webpage.
