博物馆基础性功能及其当代特征初探

An Initial Exploration of the Foundational Functions of Museums and Their Contemporary Characteristics

作为兼具专业性和社会性的文化存在,博物馆通过其特定功能(或核心功能)的实现而践行推动社会发展的使命。纵然政策制定者、行业管理者和理论研究者站从各自立场出发就博物馆功能的讨论从未间断,但收藏保护、研究阐释和传播教育作为博物馆功能树的主干则是各方的最大公约数。在社会和专业环境的综合应力下,对博物馆上述基本功能的认知已经并依然处于不断嬗变之中。值得考察和讨论的观点是:收藏不是文化遗产生命周期的终结,保护要努力使存在于博物馆的文化资源更有意义;研究涵盖了藏品及其相关学科、博物馆机构和博物馆学等不同方向,研究成果的转化首先服务于博物馆机构属性的要求;传播需在借鉴其他机构传播方法论的同时彰显博物馆的特色,教育要从知识输出转向促进人的发展和心灵启迪。

As cultural entities combining professionalism and social responsibility,museums fulfil their mission of promoting social development through the realization of specific functions(or core functions).While policymakers,sector managers,and theoretical researchers have continuously discussed the functions of museums from their respective perspectives,collection preservation,research interpretation,and dissemination education serve as the backbone of the museum's functional framework,representing a common ground for all stakeholders.Under the comprehensive force of social and professional environments,understanding the basic functions of museums has been and continues to be in a state of constant evolution.The following viewpoints are worth examining and discussing:collection is not the end of the lifecycle of cultural heritage;protection should strive to make cultural resources in museums more meaningful;research should encompass various directions including collections and related disciplines,museum institutions,and museology.The research outcomes should primarily serve the requirements of museum institutional attributes,dissemination should highlight the museum's uniqueness while drawing on methodologies from other institutions,and education should shift from knowledge dissemination to promoting human development and spiritual enlightenment.