"A museum is a non-profit making, permanent institution in the service of society and of its development, and open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits, for purposes of study, education and enjoyment, material evidence of people and their environment. (...)"

(ICOM Statutes art.2 para.1)

Development of the Museum Definition according to ICOM Statutes (1946 - 2001)

ICOM News Thematic Files : The Definition of the Museum (ICOM News, vol. 57, 2004 n°2)