Change perceptions, not names
I sympathise with Jonathan Platt's reflections on the use of the word 'museum' and its negative perception by members of the public (Museums Journal December 2004, p16). But to simply shy away from using the 'M' word and replace it with other, more touchy-feely names such as 'collection' or 'experience' is simply pandering to the lowest common denominator.
At worst, it displays a patronising approach to museums' patrons/non-patrons. Would more people visit a museum of pig farming called Porkmania? Er, no. A bad museum is a bad museum. The real challenge is to change the public perception of museums and what they are for.
How are they relevant today? How should they develop in the future. Let's stick to our guns - an alternative name for the Royal Armouries? - and raise the public's awareness, rather than lowering our expectations of them.
Essex Havard, Cardiff
It's too dark to see the exhibits
Agreeing as I do with Lawrence Fitzgerald's assessment of the Imperial War Museum North, I was interested to read Maurice Davies' reply (Museums Journal December 2004, p15).
I disagree with his claim that the contrast between audiovisual presentations and object-based display in the museum is a great success. I recently went to see it for myself and couldn't wait to get out of the museum quickly enough, like others in the group.
The museum cannot claim visitors can choose their own route through the space, because it's impossible to see where to walk - a high percentage of the few displays on view are in darkness because of the audiovisual presentations. There probably are significant exhibits in there somewhere, but short of walking into them they are easily missed.
No doubt the audiovisual presentations are turned off occasionally but I found the sensation of trying to find the exhibits in the dark such an unpleasant one that I was delighted to leave.
Mike Constable
Frustrated by online learning
As a teacher and interpreter of artefacts, I was interested in the recent article,Team Games, by Ilona Holland and Barbara Flagg (Museums Journal December 2004, p28).The learning ideas they describe, and say are possible through this interactive media, mirror the collaborative learning that teachers are using in the teaching of science, history and geography.
I had a look at Active Worlds, the host of the River City website the authors of your article use as their example. I was soon able to interact online as a virtual character, but ultimately I found the experience frustrating and alienating. Perhaps if you formed a partnership with others in the site, you'd have a more fruitful online learning experience.
Tony Grant
MA: we try to help all our members
Last month, Matthew Constantine wrote expressing concern that the Museums Association (MA) did not pay enough attention to the difficulties of small museums, such as the one in Erewash (Museums Journal December 2004, p14).
This is not true. We monitor regional and local press from across the country every day for news of any proposed closures or cuts, and regularly write to governing bodies in support of threatened museums. Part of the problem is that we are often asked to keep our work confidential, so members may not be aware of how much we do behind the scenes. We rely on good intelligence - so anyone who has concerns about a museum should call us.
We are aware that smaller local authority museums, which haven't benefited from Renaissance in the Regions, may be vulnerable. We are currently discussing what we can do to help. Constantine suggested that the MA has paid too much attention to the national museums in recent years but although we work closely with them, it's not disproportionate.
The MA represents the whole sector and deals with many issues applicable to all museums, big or small. The sector will be stronger if we can take a united approach to our future.
Helen Wilkinson, policy officer, Museums Association
I sympathise with Jonathan Platt's reflections on the use of the word 'museum' and its negative perception by members of the public (Museums Journal December 2004, p16). But to simply shy away from using the 'M' word and replace it with other, more touchy-feely names such as 'collection' or 'experience' is simply pandering to the lowest common denominator.
At worst, it displays a patronising approach to museums' patrons/non-patrons. Would more people visit a museum of pig farming called Porkmania? Er, no. A bad museum is a bad museum. The real challenge is to change the public perception of museums and what they are for.
How are they relevant today? How should they develop in the future. Let's stick to our guns - an alternative name for the Royal Armouries? - and raise the public's awareness, rather than lowering our expectations of them.
Essex Havard, Cardiff
It's too dark to see the exhibits
Agreeing as I do with Lawrence Fitzgerald's assessment of the Imperial War Museum North, I was interested to read Maurice Davies' reply (Museums Journal December 2004, p15).
I disagree with his claim that the contrast between audiovisual presentations and object-based display in the museum is a great success. I recently went to see it for myself and couldn't wait to get out of the museum quickly enough, like others in the group.
The museum cannot claim visitors can choose their own route through the space, because it's impossible to see where to walk - a high percentage of the few displays on view are in darkness because of the audiovisual presentations. There probably are significant exhibits in there somewhere, but short of walking into them they are easily missed.
No doubt the audiovisual presentations are turned off occasionally but I found the sensation of trying to find the exhibits in the dark such an unpleasant one that I was delighted to leave.
Mike Constable
Frustrated by online learning
As a teacher and interpreter of artefacts, I was interested in the recent article,Team Games, by Ilona Holland and Barbara Flagg (Museums Journal December 2004, p28).The learning ideas they describe, and say are possible through this interactive media, mirror the collaborative learning that teachers are using in the teaching of science, history and geography.
I had a look at Active Worlds, the host of the River City website the authors of your article use as their example. I was soon able to interact online as a virtual character, but ultimately I found the experience frustrating and alienating. Perhaps if you formed a partnership with others in the site, you'd have a more fruitful online learning experience.
Tony Grant
MA: we try to help all our members
Last month, Matthew Constantine wrote expressing concern that the Museums Association (MA) did not pay enough attention to the difficulties of small museums, such as the one in Erewash (Museums Journal December 2004, p14).
This is not true. We monitor regional and local press from across the country every day for news of any proposed closures or cuts, and regularly write to governing bodies in support of threatened museums. Part of the problem is that we are often asked to keep our work confidential, so members may not be aware of how much we do behind the scenes. We rely on good intelligence - so anyone who has concerns about a museum should call us.
We are aware that smaller local authority museums, which haven't benefited from Renaissance in the Regions, may be vulnerable. We are currently discussing what we can do to help. Constantine suggested that the MA has paid too much attention to the national museums in recent years but although we work closely with them, it's not disproportionate.
The MA represents the whole sector and deals with many issues applicable to all museums, big or small. The sector will be stronger if we can take a united approach to our future.
Helen Wilkinson, policy officer, Museums Association
