On Museums

Law of Georgia

On Museums

Article 1. Legislation of Georgia on Museums🔗

The legislation of Georgia on museums consists of the Constitution of Georgia, international treaties and agreements, the Laws of Georgia “On Culture” and “On the Protection of Cultural Heritage” and this Law, as well as other legislative and sub-legislative acts.

Article 2. Main Goals and Objectives of the Law🔗

1. The main goals of this Law are the regulation of legal relations in museum activity in Georgia and the protection of the museum fund of Georgia.

2. The main objectives of this Law are:

a) determination of the main principles of museum activity and of the use of museums;

b) ensuring State guarantees in museum activity;

c) determination of the principles of management and financing of the museum system of Georgia;

d) determination of the categories of museums;

e) legitimisation of the non-State sector in museum activity;

f) determination of the main rights and duties of natural and legal persons participating in museum activity.

Article 3. Scope of Application of the Law🔗

This Law applies to museums existing throughout the entire territory of Georgia, regardless of their ownership.

Article 4. Definition of terms used in this Law🔗

The terms used in this Law have the following meaning:

a) museum – a legal entity created (founded) and/or registered in accordance with the procedure established by law, whose purpose is the implementation of scientific-research and cultural-educational activity, the identification, collection, recording, protection, study, exhibiting and popularization of cultural heritage;

b) historical museum – a museum in which materials related to the historical development of society and the state, as well as to the history of a particular region, are preserved;

c) natural history museum – a museum in which materials reflecting natural phenomena and the interaction of man and nature, as well as materials related to the development of natural sciences, are preserved;

d) memorial museum – a museum in which materials related to a historical person or materials reflecting a historical event of particular importance are preserved;

e) art museum – a museum in which materials reflecting the history of various fields of art and contemporary art are preserved;

f) literary museum – a museum in which materials reflecting the history of literature and contemporary literature are preserved;

f¹) military museum − a museum located in an open space and/or in a building, in which important materials reflecting the historical and technical development of the Defence Forces of Georgia and the country's military past, samples of military equipment and material-technical means are preserved;

g) museum fund – the totality of exhibits and collections preserved in a museum;

h) museum item – a cultural value preserved in the museum fund, a monument of material and spiritual culture, a fragmentary part of an immovable monument of culture, or an antique object bearing the characteristics of a monument of culture;

i) museum exhibit – a museum item recorded in accordance with the established procedure, to which the status of a museum exhibit has been conferred;

j) museum collection – a totality of items connected to each other by some common characteristic, which constitutes part of the museum fund;

k) museum activity – legislative and financial-economic, collecting, fund, restoration, scientific-research, cultural-educational and exhibition activity related to a museum;

l) system of museums of Georgia – the totality of state and non-state museums existing on the territory of Georgia;

m) museum fund of Georgia – the totality of funds preserved in the museums of Georgia;

n) state part of the museum fund of Georgia – the totality of museum exhibits and collections recorded and preserved in state and local museums;

o) non-state part of the museum fund of Georgia – the totality of museum exhibits and collections existing in the ownership of, and recorded and preserved in, museums of non-state and mixed ownership form;

p) museum inventory book – an accounting document drawn up in accordance with the established procedure, in which the main data on each museum exhibit and collection are indicated;

q) museum exposition – the part of the museum fund exhibited according to a certain system, which is intended for the visitor.

Law of Georgia No. 2293 of 14 December 2022 – website, 27.12.2022.

Article 5. State regulation of museum activity🔗

1. The guarantor of museum activity and of the protection of the rights of museums, regardless of their ownership, is the State.

2. State regulation of and control over museum activity shall be exercised by the Ministry of Culture of Georgia (hereinafter – the Ministry), as well as by other state bodies within the scope of their authority.

Law of Georgia No. 1331 of 25 September 2013 – website, 08.10.2013.

Law of Georgia No. 1625 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017.

Law of Georgia No. 3045 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia No. 377 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.03.2021.

Law of Georgia No. 2293 of 14 December 2022 – website, 27.12.2022.

Law of Georgia No. 3863 of 30 November 2023 – website, 15.12.2023.

Law of Georgia No. 3864 of 30 November 2023 – website, 15.12.2023.

Law of Georgia No. 102 of 12 December 2024 – website, 28.12.2024.

Article 6. Categories of museum🔗

According to their significance and area of activity, museums, regardless of their ownership, shall be divided into the following categories:

a) state (national);

b) local.

Article 7. Conferral of a category on a museum🔗

1. The Government of Georgia shall confer the state (national) category on a museum upon the submission of the Ministry, and on a museum existing in the sphere of governance of another state body provided for by this Law – upon the submission of that state body.

2. The Ministry shall confer the local category on a museum upon the submission of the executive body of the municipality or upon the application of the owner of the museum.

Law of Georgia No. 1331 of 25 September 2013 – website, 08.10.2013.

Law of Georgia No. 1978 of 5 February 2014 – website, 19.02.2014.

Law of Georgia No. 1625 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017.

Law of Georgia No. 3045 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia No. 6910 of 15 July 2020 – website, 28.07.2020.

Law of Georgia No. 377 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.03.2021.

Law of Georgia No. 2293 of 14 December 2022 – website, 27.12.2022.

Article 8. Types of museum🔗

Depending on the direction of its activity, a museum may be:

a) historical;

b) natural science;

c) memorial;

d) art;

e) literary;

f) military.

Law of Georgia No. 2293 of 14 December 2022 – website, 27.12.2022.

Article 9. Creation (Establishment) of a Museum and Rights of the Creator (Founder) of a Museum🔗

1. A museum is created by a decision of state bodies and in agreement with the Ministry, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

2. Museums of non-state and mixed ownership form are established by a municipality, a natural or legal person in agreement with the Ministry, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

3. The rights of the creator (founder) of a museum are determined by the statute (charter) of the museum created (founded) by him/her and/or by a contract concluded between the museum creator (founder) and the Ministry in accordance with the legislation of Georgia. The form of the contract is established and approved by the Ministry.

Law of Georgia of 7 December 2017 No. 1625 – website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3045 - website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 15 July 2020 No. 6910 - website, 28.07.2020

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 377 – website, 18.03.2021

Article 10. Registration of a Museum and Recording in the State Register of Museums🔗

1. A museum, in accordance with its organisational-legal form, acquires the status of a legal person from the moment of registration in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

2. The Ministry records museums existing in Georgia and newly created museums in the State Register of Museums.

3. Municipal bodies record museums existing in their territory and under their management.

Law of Georgia of 5 February 2014 No. 1978 - website, 19.02.2014

Law of Georgia of 7 December 2017 No. 1625 – website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3045 - website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 15 July 2020 No. 6910 - website, 28.07.2020

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 377 – website, 18.03.2021

Article 11. Conditions Necessary for the Creation (Establishment) of a Museum🔗

1. For the creation (establishment) of a state museum, an area, a building suitable for storing exhibits kept in the museum, and funds necessary for museum exposition and activity are required.

2. The creator (founder) of a museum shall notify the Ministry, as well as another state body provided for by paragraph 2 of Article 5 of this Law, within the scope of its authority, in writing of the purpose of creating (establishing) the museum, its type, name and location.

Law of Georgia of 7 December 2017 No. 1625 – website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3045 - website, 11.07.2018

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 377 – website, 18.03.2021

Law of Georgia of 14 December 2022 No. 2293 – website, 27.12.2022

Article 12. Reorganization of state and non-state museums🔗

1. Reorganization of a state museum shall be carried out by decision of its creator (founder) and in agreement with the Ministry, while reorganization of a museum existing within the sphere of governance of another state body − in agreement with that state body, in accordance with the legislation of Georgia.

2. Change of the direction of activity of a state museum through reorganization shall be permissible only in an exceptional case.

3. Reorganization of a non-state museum shall be carried out in accordance with the legislation of Georgia.

Law of Georgia of 7 December 2017 No. 1625 – website, 14.12.2017.

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3045 – website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 377 – website, 18.03.2021.

Law of Georgia of 14 December 2022 No. 2293 – website, 27.12.2022.

Article 13. Liquidation of state and non-state museums🔗

1. Liquidation of a state museum shall be carried out by decision of its creator (founder) and in agreement with the Ministry, while liquidation of a museum existing within the sphere of governance of another state body − in agreement with that state body, in accordance with the legislation of Georgia.

2. The fund of a liquidated state museum shall be transferred only to a state museum.

3. The fund of a liquidated local museum shall be transferred to a local or state museum.

4. The property of a liquidated state museum, except for its fund, shall be used in accordance with the legislation of Georgia.

5. Liquidation of a non-state museum shall be carried out in accordance with the legislation of Georgia.

6. State museums shall enjoy the preferential right to purchase the valuables put up for sale of a liquidated non-state museum.

Law of Georgia of 7 December 2017 No. 1625 – website, 14.12.2017.

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3045 – website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 377 – website, 18.03.2021.

Law of Georgia of 14 December 2022 No. 2293 – website, 27.12.2022.

Article 14. Rights and obligations of state bodies in the management of museum activity🔗

1. The Ministry and other state body, within the scope of their authority, shall carry out the management of museum activity.

2. The functions of the Ministry and of the other state body provided for by paragraph 2 of Article 5 of this Law are:

a) implementation of state museum policy;

b) coordination of work with municipal bodies in the field of museum activity;

c) financing of state museums in the established manner;

d) issuance of subordinate normative acts regulating museum activity and/or drafting of bills;

e) creation of an information bank;

f) inspection of the condition and accounting of museum funds;

g) financing, in the established manner, of scientific-research and restoration programmes important for Georgian culture;

h) promotion of the training of specialists in museum affairs and restorers, and of the improvement of their qualifications;

i) control over the fulfilment of international treaties in museum activity;

j) purchase of museum items in order to replenish the funds of state museums;

k) appointment to and dismissal from the position of director of a state museum.

3. For the purpose of inspecting the condition, preservation and accounting of museum items and museum collections, as well as compliance with general museum rules, the Ministry, as well as other state body, within the scope of their authority, shall, in the established manner, control non-state museums.

4. A state body, within the scope of the authority established by law, shall manage the museums under its subordination/existing in its sphere of governance and shall ensure their proper operation.

5. State bodies, within the scope of their competence, shall provide assistance to non-state museums.

Law of Georgia of 5 February 2014 No. 1978 – website, 19.02.2014.

Law of Georgia of 7 December 2017 No. 1625 – website, 14.12.2017.

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3045 – website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia of 15 July 2020 No. 6910 – website, 28.07.2020.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 377 – website, 18.03.2021.

Law of Georgia of 14 December 2022 No. 2293 – website, 27.12.2022.

Article 15. Rights and obligations of local self-government bodies in the management of museum activity🔗

The municipality shall finance and control the museums under its management in accordance with the legislation of Georgia.

Law of Georgia of 5 February 2014 No. 1978 – website, 19.02.2014.

Law of Georgia of 15 July 2020 No. 6910 – website, 28.07.2020.

Article 16. Use of a museum🔗

1. All citizens shall be admitted to view the items and collections exhibited in a museum.

2. The museum exposition shall be open to all categories of visitors at convenient hours.

3. The rules for the use of museum exhibits kept in museum depositories (depositaries) shall be determined by the museum's regulation (statute).

4. The owner or possessor of a museum shall have the right to restrict access to the exhibits kept in the museum fund due to their unsatisfactory state of preservation, restoration, or placement in depositories (depositaries).

Article 17. Rights of state and non-state museums🔗

1. A state museum, regardless of its subordination, shall have the right to:

a) carry out the first publication of the exhibits kept in the museum;

b) with the consent of the Ministry, and a museum existing within the sphere of governance of another state body − with the consent of that state body, give consent to the use of museum exhibits, the museum building and other objects located on its territory as symbols on various types of printed products, as well as on souvenirs and consumer goods;

c) make copies of the exhibits kept in the museum fund and use them in accordance with the established procedure;

d) taking into account the requirements of the legislation of Georgia, carry out the economic activity necessary for the museum.

2. A non-state museum shall have the right to:

a) when entering its museum exhibit into a catalogue or publishing it in another form, require the indication of the owner's identity;

b) require the restoration of its museum exhibit by a state restoration institution, with appropriate remuneration;

c) if necessary, transfer its exhibit to a state museum for storage, with the execution of appropriate documentation;

d) require the confidentiality of information about the museum exhibit in its ownership entered in the state register.

Law of Georgia No. 1625 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017.

Law of Georgia No. 3045 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia No. 377 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.03.2021.

Law of Georgia No. 2293 of 14 December 2022 – website, 27.12.2022.

Article 18. Obligations of a state museum🔗

A state museum shall be obliged to ensure:

a) comprehensive protection of museum exhibits:

b) accounting and systematization of the museum fund;

c) publication of museum exhibits;

d) maintenance of accounting documentation;

e) conduct of mass scientific-educational work on the basis of museum expositions and museum funds.

Article 19. Obligations of a non-state museum🔗

1. A non-state museum shall:

a) ensure comprehensive protection of the museum exhibits belonging to it;

b) ensure the admission of museum specialists to the museum exhibits for the purpose of inspecting their condition;

c) submit complete information on the museum exhibit for entry into the state register;

d) notify the Ministry, within the established time limit, of the alienation of the museum exhibit;

e) ensure the keeping of accounting documentation.

2. Upon the transfer of an exhibit entered in the museum fund, or upon its alienation in any other form, the recipient of the exhibit assumes all obligations related to care and maintenance that the owner of the exhibit had.

Law of Georgia of 7 December 2017 No. 1625 – website, 14.12.2017.

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3045 – website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 377 – website, 18.03.2021.

Article 20. Protection of a Museum Exhibit🔗

1. The protection of a museum exhibit shall be carried out in accordance with the instruction "On the Accounting and Protection of the Museum Fund of Georgia".

2. A museum exhibit shall be kept and displayed in a properly equipped building, in a museum depository, observing the temperature, humidity or other necessary regime.

Article 21. Restoration of Museum Exhibits🔗

1. The restoration of a museum exhibit shall be carried out in a museum that has a restoration department, or in special restoration centres licensed in accordance with the legislation of Georgia.

2. Only restorers holding the relevant certificate shall have the right to restore a museum exhibit.

Article 22. Accounting of Museum Exhibits🔗

1. A museum exhibit shall be recorded in accordance with the established procedure.

2. A museum exhibit shall not be subject to bookkeeping accounting.

3. The main accounting documentation of a museum is:

a) the inventory book of main acquisitions;

b) the museum's inventory book;

c) the scientific auxiliary book;

d) the inventory book of temporary acquisitions;

e) the special book for the accounting of museum exhibits containing valuables;

f) the act of acceptance and handover of a museum exhibit;

g) the scientific passport of a museum exhibit.

4. The forms of the main accounting documentation of a museum shall be approved by the Ministry.

5. The destruction or falsification of the main accounting documentation of a museum shall be punishable by law.

6. In addition to the main accounting documentation, a museum shall have additional working documentation, including:

a) a document of detailed accounting of the purchase of a museum item;

b) scientific material – catalogues, bibliography, research material and others;

c) an instruction approved by the Ministry on the conduct of museum work.

Law of Georgia of 7 December 2017 No. 1625 – website, 14.12.2017.

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3045 – website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 377 – website, 18.03.2021.

Article 23. Museum Fund of Georgia🔗

1. The Museum Fund of Georgia is an integral part of the cultural heritage of Georgia.

2. The right of ownership over the Museum Fund of Georgia shall be determined by this Law.

Article 24. Registration of a museum item and collection🔗

in the State Register of the Museum Fund of Georgia

and their removal from the register

1. A museum item and collection shall be subject to mandatory state registration (entry in the State Register), regardless of their ownership.

2. The State Register of the Museum Fund of Georgia is the accounting document of the Museum Fund of Georgia.

3. The Ministry shall register a museum item and collection in the State Register of the Museum Fund of Georgia on the basis of an opinion of the Council.

4. A museum item and collection shall be removed from the State Register of the Museum Fund of Georgia in accordance with the established procedure, on the basis of an opinion of the Ministry.

5. A museum item or collection shall be considered as entered in the Museum Fund of Georgia immediately upon entry in the State Register of the Museum Fund of Georgia.

6. The procedure for drawing up, keeping and using the form of the State Register of the Museum Fund of Georgia shall be established by the Ministry.

7. All changes relating to an item and collection entered in the Museum Fund of Georgia shall be recorded in the State Register of the Museum Fund of Georgia.

Law of Georgia No. 1625 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017.

Law of Georgia No. 3045 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia No. 377 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.03.2021.

Article 25. Export abroad and import into Georgia of an item entered in the Museum Fund of Georgia🔗

The procedure for the export abroad and import into Georgia of an item entered in the Museum Fund of Georgia shall be regulated by the Law of Georgia "On the Export of Cultural Valuables Abroad and Their Import into Georgia".

Article 26. Alienation of a museum item and collection🔗

1. A museum item and collection included in the state part of the Museum Fund of Georgia shall not be subject to alienation.

2. Exchange of museum exhibits between state museums for the purpose of replenishing the museum fund shall be permitted.

3. A collection entered in the Museum Fund of Georgia is indivisible.

4. Upon the purchase and sale, transfer by will, or alienation in any other form of a museum item and collection entered in the non-state part of the Museum Fund of Georgia, the recipient of the item and collection shall assume all obligations related to care and maintenance. Such museum item or collection, if it has been entered by the State in protection lists and in the State Register of the Museum Fund of Georgia, shall not be subject to removal from Georgia.

5. In the case of sale of a museum item and collection, a state museum shall have a preferential right of purchase.

Article 27. Museum property🔗

1. The property of a museum shall consist of the exhibits kept in the museum, its buildings and other immovable objects, the land plot, movable property and financial resources.

2. A state museum shall use and manage the immovable property belonging to it in the manner established by the legislation of Georgia.

3. The eviction of a state museum from the building occupied by it shall be prohibited, except where it is offered a better building for its activities.

4. The rules for the use of the property of a non-state museum (except for museum exhibits) shall be determined by the legislation of Georgia.

Article 28. Financing of a museum🔗

1. A museum shall be financed from:

a) the state budget;

a¹) the budget of a municipality;

b) the funds of the owner of the museum;

c) specially created funds;

d) grants from the funds and programmes of international organisations;

e) donations;

f) funds transferred by natural and legal persons of a foreign country;

g) all income that does not contravene the legislation of Georgia.

2. A state museum shall, in accordance with its category, be financed from the state budget. At the same time, where necessary, funds shall be allocated from the state budget to finance a local museum.

3. Tax and other types of benefits in museum activities shall be determined by the legislation of Georgia.

Law of Georgia No. 6910 of 15 July 2020 – website, 28.07.2020.

Article 29. Insurance of museum items and collections🔗

The insurance of museum items and collections shall be effected in accordance with the legislation of Georgia.

Article 30. Liability for the violation of the legislation of Georgia in museum activities🔗

Liability for the violation of the legislation of Georgia in museum activities shall be determined by the legislation of Georgia.

Article 31. Powers of the museums of Georgia in the field of international cooperation🔗

1. The museums of Georgia shall be entitled to join international museum organisations, to cooperate with museums of foreign countries and to participate in international museum programmes.

2. International cooperation of the museums of Georgia shall be carried out in accordance with the legislation of Georgia, this Law and the regulations (statutes) of these museums.

Article 32. Normative acts to be adopted in connection with the entry into force of this Law🔗

In connection with the entry into force of this Law, the following Orders of the Minister of Culture of Georgia shall be adopted:

a) on approval of the Regulation “On State (National) Museums”;

b) on approval of the Regulation “On Local Museums”;

c) on approval of the Regulation “On Non-State Museums”;

d) on approval of the Regulation “On the Rules for Drawing Up, Keeping and Using the Form of the State Register of the Georgian Museum Fund”;

e) on approval of the Instruction “On the Accounting and Protection of the Georgian Museum Fund”;

f) on approval of the Instruction “On the Georgian Museum Fund”.

Article 33. Reorganisation of museums created by state bodies🔗

Museums created by state bodies were established as Legal Entities of Public Law before 1 January 2002 in accordance with the legislation of Georgia.

Article 34. Entry into force of the Law🔗

This Law shall enter into force on 1 August 2001.

President of Georgia

Eduard Shevardnadze

Tbilisi,

22 June 2001.

No. 990-IIs