Eligibility Criteria
1. Meets the Definition of a Museum
For the purposes of the Museum Standards Programme, the following definition has been agreed:
Museums are not for profit institutions that collect, safeguard, hold in trust, research, develop and interpret collections of original objects and original objects on loan, for the public benefit. They function publicly as places where people learn from and find inspiration and enjoyment through the display and research of original objects.
Requirements
1. Applicants must demonstrate how their museum conforms to all elements of the museum definition.
2. Applicants must demonstrate clear articulation of responsibility if ownership and governing structures are separate.
Notes
The elements of the museum definition are:
- Not-for-profit
- Collects
- Holds in trust
- Researches
- Develops and interprets
- Original objects and loans
- For the public benefit
- Places from where people learn
- Places where people find inspiration and enjoyment.
2. An Appropriate Constitution
Requirement
Applicants are required to submit a copy of the museum's Constitutional documents. The Constitution must reflect the curatorial and management functions of the museum. The authority and/or powers to operate a museum must also be demonstrated.
Notes
1. Applicants will range from national, through local to specialist and corporate bodies. National and local authority institutions may have been established under an act of the legislature, so in that case, a copy of the relevant act should be submitted. In other cases, a legal document may have been drawn up to enable the establishment of a museum, such as a Deed of Trust or a Memorandum or Articles of Association.
Applicants should therefore attach a copy of one of the following documents:
- Deed of Trust
- Act of the Dáil
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Constitution of a charitable organisation
2. In the case of museums that were established by a larger parent organisation, i.e., university, local authority or diocese, one must also submit documentary evidence of decisions taken by the parent body to establish the museum and their authority to do so.
3. Where an applicant is not incorporated or constituted in any legal form, one should submit copies of Resolutions or Meeting Minutes that refer to the decision to establish the museum.
4. In exceptional cases, where documentary evidence is no longer available, one may submit a formal written declaration by the governors stating that they operate a museum under their current powers and confirming their commitment.
3. Nature of Collection(s)
Requirement
1. Applicants are required to submit a description of the nature, type and quantity of collections held. An estimated total number of objects should be included. An estimate of the number of objects on loan should also be provided.
2. Applicants must submit details on the ownership of the collection(s). If there is more than one organisation involved, the proportion of objects owned by each body should be included.
Download a copy of the MSPI Eligibility Criteria here [PDF 133KB].