The Museums Australia Constitution (2002) defines a 'museum' as an institution with the following characteristics:
A museum helps people understand the world by using objects and ideas to interpret the past and present and explore the future. A museum preserves and researches collections, and makes objects and information accessible in actual and virtual environments. Museums are established in the public interest as permanent, not-for-profit organisations that contribute long-term value to communities.
The following qualify as museums:
- social history and folk museums
- art galleries and art centres
- natural, archaeological and ethnographic monuments and sites and historical monuments and sites of a museum nature that acquire, conserve and communicate material evidence of people and their environment
- institutions holding collections of and displaying specimens of plants and animals, such as botanical and zoological gardens, herbaria, aquaria and vivaria
- science centres
- cultural centres and other entities that facilitate the preservation, continuation and management of tangible or intangible heritage resources (living heritage and digital creative activity), such as Keeping Places
- such other institutions as the National Council consider as having some or all of the characteristics of a museum.
Levels and Fees
- Organisational membership of AMaGA is based on annual operating budget.
- Fees cover membership for 12 months from renewal.
- Prices are in $AUD and include GST.
