Browsing by Subject "Museums -- Social aspects"
Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    A museum in public : revisioning Canada's Royal Ontario Museum
    (Routledge, 2022-02-02) Susan L.T. Ashley.
    A Museum in Public critically examines the idea of museums as institutions of the public sphere. Using as a case study the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Canada's largest museum, the book interrogates the public nature and political dynamics of the ROM as it completed a multi-million-dollar Renaissance' architectural project. Employing an empirically engaged cultural analysis of how publicness was reflected in the ideas, attitudes and behaviours of management, staff, and vis- itors, the book builds upon an ethnographic description of four public inter- faces of institutional operations: structuring, positioning, exhibiting, and interacting. Conceptualizing ROM's new nature as 'celebrity publicness': engagement as publicity and not politics, Ashley offers insights into how – and whether - museums like the ROM might achieve political publicness through transparent, open communicative action. As a whole, the book asks museum practitioners and scholars to seriously consider how the ideals of contact zone and engagement with their real need for dissent, conflict, and alternative ways of thinking – can truly be made possible within an administrative setting. A Museum in Public will be a unique resource for scholars and students around the world who are engaged with the ongoing process of democrat- ization in museums. Its on-the-ground reporting on practical organizational ISsues, offered in a shorter more accessible format, will attract and provoke museum practitioners.
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    Cities, museums and soft power
    (AAM Press, 2015) Lord, Gail Dexter ; Blankenberg, Ngaire
    'Soft power' emerged as a concept in the late twentieth century to describe international relations based not on military or economic strength, but on influence. While the resources of 'hard power' are tangible--force and finance--soft power resources include ideas, knowledge, values, and culture, as well as the ability to persuade. This volume discusses soft power from the vantage point of museums and demonstrates how they are quietly changing the world. With contributions by thirteen experts from ten countries, Cities, Museums and Soft Power reveals the world's 80,000 museums to be sleeping giants. Two major characteristics of soft power--the rise of cities and the role of civil society--are pushing museums from the margins toward the center as these institutions serve as education hubs, employers, magnets for creative industries, and engines of economic development. Meanwhile, the growth of technological networks and connectivity has enabled this soft power to spread even farther and deeper across the Internet and groups of people. Whether cozy and local or internationally renowned, museums possess a cultural strength that extends far beyond their walls " -- Provided by publisher.
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    Museum innovation : building more equitable, relevant and impactful museums
    (Routledge, 2022-02-02) Haitham Eid, Melissa Forstrom
    Museum Innovation encourages museums to critically reflect upon current practices and adopt new approaches to their civic responsibilities. Arguing that museums have a moral duty to perform, the book shows how social innovation can make them more equitable, relevant and impactful institutions. Including contributions from a diverse group of international scholars, practitioners and researchers, the book investigates the innovative approaches museums are taking to address contemporary social issues. The volume focuses on the concept of social innovation and individual chapters address a range of crucial issues,such as climate change; the COVID-19 pandemic; diversity and inclusion; the travel ban; and the repatriation of museum collections. Exploring the impact that organizational structures have on museums' aspirations to act as agents for social change, the book also unpacks how museums can establish sustainable relationships with minority communities. Proposing steps that museums can take to affirm their relevance as viable community partners, the book breaks down silos and connects ideas across different areas of museum work. Museum Innovation explores the role of contemporary museums in society. It is essential reading for academics, students and practitioners working in the museum and heritage studies field. The book's interdisciplinary nature makes it also an interesting read for those working in business studies, digital humanities, visual culture, arts administration and political science fields.
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    Museum innovation : building more equitable, relevant and impactful museums
    (Routledge, 2021) Eid, Haitham ; Forstrom, Melissa
    Museum Innovation encourages museums to critically reflect upon current practices and adopt new approaches to their civic responsibilities. Arguing that museums have a moral duty to perform, the book shows how social innovation can make them more equitable, relevant and impactful institutions. Including contributions from a diverse group of international scholars, practitioners and researchers, the book investigates the innovative approaches museums are taking to address contemporary social issues. The volume focuses on the concept of social innovation and individual chapters address a range of crucial issues, such as climate change; the COVID-19 pandemic; diversity and inclusion; the travel ban; and the repatriation of museum collections. Exploring the impact that organizational structures have on museums’ aspirations to act as agents for social change, the book also unpacks how museums can establish sustainable relationships with minority communities. Proposing steps that museums can take to affirm their relevance as viable community partners, the book breaks down silos and connects ideas across different areas of museum work. Museum Innovation explores the role of contemporary museums in society. It is essential reading for academics, students and practitioners working in the museum and heritage studies field. The book’s interdisciplinary nature makes it also an interesting read for those working in business studies, digital humanities, visual culture, arts administration and political science fields. [Source: https://www.routledge.com/Museum-Innovation-Building-More-Equitable-Relevant-and-Impactful-Museums/Eid-Forstrom/p/book/9780367481391]
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    Museums without borders : selected writings of Robert R. Janes
    (Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group, ) Janes, Robert R.
    "Museums without Borders presents a body of work from one of the most respected practitioners and scholars in the field with nearly 40 years of experience. Robert Janes explores, through his selected writings, the view that museums have a broader role to play in society than is conventionally assumed. This volume forms an evolutionary time capsule of the many issues that have, and will, continue to shape the museum sector for decades to come" -- Provided by publisher.