Museum Definition

OK- Here is the latest definition which the committee will present to the board in late September for discussion and approval. We would love input from the Oklahoma museum community to make sure this definition is inclusive and not exclusive! Give us your thoughts.

Museum Definition

A museum as recognized by the Oklahoma Museums Association, may be defined as an organization which uses a professional staff or the equivalent, whether paid or unpaid, that is primarily engaged in the acquisition, care and/or exhibition to the public of objects or interactive displays/exhibits owned or used by the institution. Further, a museum is understood to possess a variety of the following characteristics: 1) is organized on a permanent or regular basis for essentially educational and/or aesthetic purposes; 2) owns or uses tangible objects, either animate or inanimate; 3) cares for these objects; and 4) exhibits these objects to the general public on a regular basis at or in a facility which it owns or operates; 5) provides educational and cultural programming via interactive play. The definition of a museum may include but need not necessarily be limited to both governmental and private museums of anthropology, art, historical societies, historic houses, sites and battlefields, nature centers, living history museums, planetariums, science and technology centers, tribal cultural centers, zoos and botanical gardens.

Volunteer for OMA Conference

OMA needs volunteers for the upcoming conference in Elk City!

Conference Scholarships

Today, August 3rd, is the last day to apply for a scholarship to the 2007 OMA conference! Also, we are currently planning the 2008 conference, so let us know if there is anything you would like to have covered in the 2008 conference.