ICOM Code of Ethics

Definition

The ICOM Code of Ethics is a set of guidelines established by the International Council of Museums that outlines the professional standards and ethical principles for museum professionals worldwide. It emphasizes the importance of integrity, accountability, and the respect for cultural heritage in museum operations, ensuring that institutions operate with transparency and responsibility towards their collections and audiences.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The ICOM Code of Ethics was first adopted in 1986 and has been revised multiple times to adapt to changes in the museum field and societal expectations.
2. The code emphasizes the responsibility of museums to safeguard collections, promote public access to knowledge, and engage with local communities.
3. It includes specific guidelines regarding the acquisition, display, and deaccessioning of artifacts, stressing the need for legal and ethical considerations in all actions.
4. ICOM encourages museums to create an inclusive environment that respects diverse cultures and promotes understanding through exhibitions and programs.
5. The code serves as a foundation for national and regional codes of ethics developed by various museum associations worldwide.

Review Questions

• How does the ICOM Code of Ethics influence museum practices related to cultural heritage preservation?
  • The ICOM Code of Ethics serves as a foundational document that shapes how museums approach the preservation of cultural heritage. By outlining principles such as integrity, accountability, and respect for diversity, it guides museums in making ethical decisions regarding collection management and conservation practices. Museums are encouraged to engage with communities and stakeholders, ensuring that preservation efforts are culturally sensitive and foster a deeper understanding of heritage.
• Discuss the importance of transparency in museum operations as outlined by the ICOM Code of Ethics.
  • Transparency is a core principle within the ICOM Code of Ethics that holds museums accountable to their audiences and stakeholders. This principle emphasizes the need for clear communication about collections, acquisitions, funding sources, and decision-making processes. By being transparent, museums can build trust with their communities, encourage public engagement, and demonstrate their commitment to ethical practices that respect cultural heritage.
• Evaluate how the ICOM Code of Ethics addresses issues of deaccessioning artifacts from museum collections.
  • The ICOM Code of Ethics provides comprehensive guidelines on the deaccessioning process, emphasizing that such actions must be undertaken ethically and with careful consideration. It requires museums to have clear policies in place that prioritize legal compliance and respect for cultural significance. Additionally, it advocates for transparency in the decision-making process surrounding deaccessioning, which includes informing stakeholders about why certain items are being removed from collections. This careful approach ensures that museums remain responsible stewards of cultural heritage while navigating the complexities of collection management.

Related terms

Cultural Heritage: The legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society inherited from past generations, which museums seek to preserve and protect.

Museum Governance: The framework and policies that guide the operation, management, and decision-making processes within a museum to ensure it fulfills its mission.

Restoration Ethics: The ethical principles guiding the restoration and conservation of artifacts, focusing on maintaining the integrity and authenticity of cultural objects.