Museum Ideas Of The Last Decade

ISSUES IN MUSEUMS AS CONSIDERED IN 2003

This was written as a teaching power point to aid discussion for a classroom of practitioners and/or museology students.

While still applicable, there may be issues you would like to amend or add to. Feel free to do so.

Anyone is welcome to use this for their own purposes. I would appreciate credit whenever you use it. I would love to see your amendments as well. Thanks. Elaine Heumann Gurian

Elaine Heumann Gurian 2003


•A movement to place museums within a framework of social responsibility and to assert a place in the creation of local civil society. The words “meeting ground,” “forum,” “gateway” and “crossroads” are to be found in mission statements.

•There is an overt interest in the novice learner, the child, the social unit of the family rather than only the adult and the expert visitor.

•Acceptance that museums are positive factors in the tourist and economic mix of revitalization.

In the critical area of DIRECTION, VISION AND MISSION: There has been --


In the area of exhibition PRESENTATION, the following issues have taken prominence.

•A broadened palette of interpretive exhibition techniques which include many elements of shop window display, attraction gizmo’s, simulations, and object theatre.

•A heightened sense of permissible drama rather than only an air of contemplative study

•An increased reliance on technology and a willingness to explore new edges of technology invention including hand-helds, wireless, animation, etc.

•A broadened definition of “real” objects to include photos, movies, reproductions, multiples, etc as authentic.


CONTENT:

•A beginning look at the issue of timeliness.•The use of multiplicity of voices to reduce the necessity of the single authoritative voice.•The acknowledgement of an institutional point of view rather than assumed objectivity.•A broadened acknowledgement of other world knowledge systems as valid in addition to scientific thought.•The inclusion of spirituality and emotion as valid forms of interpretation.•Experimentation with process as aids to content rather than only verbal explanation.•Layering of information available for the various levels of learners.•A tension between celebratory and mea culpa presentations.•The recognition of contextualization in all forms of museums including art museums.


ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT:

•A much broader range of acceptable sources of income.•Reliance on private sector funding.•Project management and accountability.•Business-like financial administration.•More competitive salaries and less reliance on class-based volunteerism.•A changing profile of director to include business people and educators.•Review of charges and entrance fees.•Increased interest in front-of-house and customer service as a part of the interpretation mix.


RESEARCH

•A reduction in research funding but an understanding that some forms of research (i.e. taxonomy of natural history specimens) might be a unique museum-form of research.

•Native knowledge gains some research acceptability.

•An inclusion in the potential economic importance of research in budget planning and the willingness to sell services.


COLLECTIONS

•A broadened definition of “real” objects to include photos, movies, reproductions, multiples, etc as authentic objects.•Technologically based record keeping and the access to information by a much broader public.•A broadening of acceptable levels of HVAC and other collections standards.•An inclusion of more natural and more traditional conservation methods.•An agreement to use collections as participatory objects for ceremonies

– the museum as lending library.•An acceptance of the ceremonial care for objects.•Repatriation of objects that are grave goods, secret or sacred.•Changed notions of ownership and authority especially for native material.


FACILITIES•The most coveted architectural contract.•World-class architects and buildings.•A beginning understanding of the need for contemplative space in the mix.•The inclusiong of mixed-use space and the broadened associated programs, i.e. cafes.•Inclusion of social, ambulatory and observation spaces.•Compliance with handicapped accessibility.


MUSEOLOGY

•Broader interest in learning theory and its applicability.

•For someone rather than about something.*“Steve Weil” wrote some version of this.

•Wider use of audience research and responsiveness.


Education – in addition to class visits

•Inclusion of charter schools as part of museum offerings.•Greater interrelationship with home-schoolers.•Offering of overnight programs.•Inclusion as a relevant location for after-school enrichment.•A wider interest in the novice learner and the family.•Special pre-school spaces.•A wider interest in social interaction rather than fact acquisition.

Museum Ideas Of The Last Decade

Education

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