Editorial
Sharon Heal, Issue 112/02, 01.02.2012
Vision for museums should be call to action
This month marks the launch of the Museums Association’s (MA) 2020 project, which aims to establish a vision for the future of museums.
This has the potential to be an exciting piece of work that could change what we think about the value and purpose of museums.
The MA’s starting point is to look at the impact that museums can have on society. It is a departure for a study of this kind to think first about impact, and the difference museums can make, rather than starting with collections or expertise.
This is not to say that the latter aren’t important, but starting with impact and value is a signal that this won’t be just another advocacy document for the next spending review.
The stated aim is for it to be a bold and campaigning vision. Issues that have been highlighted for discussion so far are participation, social justice and wellbeing. I would add equality, in terms of access and provision, to that list.
The project promises to work in partnership with other organisations. This is good, but should not be at the cost of diluting the final outcome – often the more signatories there are to a document, the blander the end result.
There needs to be a spirit of openness and engagement with people who work in the sector at every level, to drive the vision. And it must take into account what the public values and wants from museums.
There should also be clear conclusions from the project. There’s not much point in having a vision if you don’t discuss how to achieve it. So far, the project is fighting shy of a strategy – but it could be a step in the right direction.
Sharon Heal, editor, Museums Journal
sharon@museumsassociation.org
www.twitter.com/sharonheal
Museums 2020
Museums 2020 will be among the issues discussed at the Museums Association conference in Edinburgh this year. The call for session proposals is now open. Click here for more information
This has the potential to be an exciting piece of work that could change what we think about the value and purpose of museums.
The MA’s starting point is to look at the impact that museums can have on society. It is a departure for a study of this kind to think first about impact, and the difference museums can make, rather than starting with collections or expertise.
This is not to say that the latter aren’t important, but starting with impact and value is a signal that this won’t be just another advocacy document for the next spending review.
The stated aim is for it to be a bold and campaigning vision. Issues that have been highlighted for discussion so far are participation, social justice and wellbeing. I would add equality, in terms of access and provision, to that list.
The project promises to work in partnership with other organisations. This is good, but should not be at the cost of diluting the final outcome – often the more signatories there are to a document, the blander the end result.
There needs to be a spirit of openness and engagement with people who work in the sector at every level, to drive the vision. And it must take into account what the public values and wants from museums.
There should also be clear conclusions from the project. There’s not much point in having a vision if you don’t discuss how to achieve it. So far, the project is fighting shy of a strategy – but it could be a step in the right direction.
Sharon Heal, editor, Museums Journal
sharon@museumsassociation.org
www.twitter.com/sharonheal
Museums 2020
Museums 2020 will be among the issues discussed at the Museums Association conference in Edinburgh this year. The call for session proposals is now open. Click here for more information
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