18 May 2001

Press release

On 18th May museums the world over will be celebrating International Museum Day on the theme "Museums: building community". The theme, which was adopted by ICOM's Advisory Committee last June, underlines the importance of the social role of the museum and recalls the definition of the museum as a permanent institution in the service of society and of its development.

International Museum Day was created in 1977 at ICOM's 12th General Assembly. This annual event provides the opportunity to draw the public's attention to museum programmes through activities taking place on and around 18th May. The theme "Museums: building community" can be adapted to all types of museums and to all countries in the world. ICOM News, Issue n° 1/2001 presents diverse aspects of the theme "Museums: building community" through concrete examples from Sweden, Australia, France, Morocco and Uruguay.

The bibliography will give you a broader perspective on the reflexions around the theme over the last few years.

International Museum Day receives support from the Réunion des musées nationaux (RMN) and the Direction des musées de France (DMF)