Revised Museum Legislation

In the revised Museum Act of 2012, it is stressed that museums must ensure a relationship between the cultural and natural heritage as well as the surrounding society and outside world. This stems from the Act’s statutory purpose, which states that museums “must ensure the cultural and natural heritage in interaction with the world around us”. Further, the Act stresses that museums must act according to local national and global perspectives in order to 1) actualize knowledge about cultural and natural heritage and make that knowledge relevant and accessible/available for all citizens; 2) develop the use and significance of cultural and natural heritage for citizens and society; 3) ensure cultural and natural heritage for future use. The Act also states, that the three main museums (i.e. the National Museum of Denmark, the National Gallery of Denmark and the Natural History Museum of Denmark) must increase the visibility and perspectives of their collections through participation in international cooperation. Another example of the relation between the Museum Act and the scope of the Convention is the Act’s mentioning of the fact that museums must be available to the public, and that entrance for children and young people under 18 years in museums covered by the Act is free of charge. Since 2006 the National Gallery of Denmark and the National Museum of Denmark have provided free access for all visitors. During the course of 2016 the two museums will be given the opportunity to charge entrance fees for adults, however with an obligation to provide family discounts.