Victoria Hollows is the manager of the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow; Virginia Tandy is a trustee of the Heritage Lottery Fund and former director of culture for Manchester City Council
Dear Virginia:
The question suggests an opt in/opt out scenario. However, if we understand social justice as the idea of creating a society based on principles of equality, that values human rights and recognises the dignity of every human being, then this is hard to refute.
Acknowledging social justice as part of the landscape of responsibility for any institution in civil society does not mean pursuing it at the expense of collecting, displaying or researching. It means do all of these, but with focus, heart, endeavour and morality.
With best wishes, Victoria
Dear Victoria:
Museums and galleries are a complex mix of institutions and, as a consequence, have different roles and responsibilities. For many institutions, the social justice agenda should be resonant.
But who are museums engaging with? In England, following the significant increase in investment over the past decade, the number and demographic of visitors has only shifted by a few per cent.
Are museums content with this result? Would a focus on social justice help create a collective sense of purpose and make museums more relevant to a broader range of people?
All the best, Virginia
Dear Virginia:
I think the limited shift in demographics has been fuelled by short-term projects and funding. Social justice may be the “how”, but I think many museums have still to fully unpack the “why”. Museums should be asking fundamental questions about their role and value in an increasingly complex and strained world.
Success cannot only be measured by visitor numbers. What part do we play in continuing social inequalities? Are we working to communities’ agendas rather than communities working to ours? And is what we say backed up by what we do?
With best wishes, Victoria
Dear Victoria:
Much of the valuable short-term project work that you mention provides insight into what audiences need, but how much of that finds its way out of the learning and outreach team and into exhibition programming and collections display?
Working to engage a broader audience can result in programmes or displays that are fit for purpose, but may attract adverse comment from peers and critics. Is the sector brave enough to work in this way? All the best, Virginia Dear Virginia: Short-term projects are only valuable if they fit within a strategic framework and we can take forward what we learn.
The danger is that engagement work is often not embedded right across the museum, which is critical if it is to have any chance of lasting impact. Many museums don’t do this because it is hard to do, and because yes, it does involve risk and takes real courage. But if we do not try to work ethically and responsibly, as individuals and institutions, then who will?
With best wishes, Victoria
Dear Victoria:
The dual responsibilities of public servant and global citizen are considerable and are central to the values that guide the work of museums and galleries.
Over the past decade, lottery funds and programmes such as Renaissance in the Regions have meant that many museums have learned a lot about what it really takes to extend their reach and relevance.
These are, to quote the People’s History Museum’s motto “ideas worth fi ghting for”. This exchange was supposed to be a head-to-head, but I think that we are more side-by-side on this agenda. Thanks for the conversation.
All the best, Virginia
Dear Virginia:
The question suggests an opt in/opt out scenario. However, if we understand social justice as the idea of creating a society based on principles of equality, that values human rights and recognises the dignity of every human being, then this is hard to refute.
Acknowledging social justice as part of the landscape of responsibility for any institution in civil society does not mean pursuing it at the expense of collecting, displaying or researching. It means do all of these, but with focus, heart, endeavour and morality.
With best wishes, Victoria
Dear Victoria:
Museums and galleries are a complex mix of institutions and, as a consequence, have different roles and responsibilities. For many institutions, the social justice agenda should be resonant.
But who are museums engaging with? In England, following the significant increase in investment over the past decade, the number and demographic of visitors has only shifted by a few per cent.
Are museums content with this result? Would a focus on social justice help create a collective sense of purpose and make museums more relevant to a broader range of people?
All the best, Virginia
Dear Virginia:
I think the limited shift in demographics has been fuelled by short-term projects and funding. Social justice may be the “how”, but I think many museums have still to fully unpack the “why”. Museums should be asking fundamental questions about their role and value in an increasingly complex and strained world.
Success cannot only be measured by visitor numbers. What part do we play in continuing social inequalities? Are we working to communities’ agendas rather than communities working to ours? And is what we say backed up by what we do?
With best wishes, Victoria
Dear Victoria:
Much of the valuable short-term project work that you mention provides insight into what audiences need, but how much of that finds its way out of the learning and outreach team and into exhibition programming and collections display?
Working to engage a broader audience can result in programmes or displays that are fit for purpose, but may attract adverse comment from peers and critics. Is the sector brave enough to work in this way? All the best, Virginia Dear Virginia: Short-term projects are only valuable if they fit within a strategic framework and we can take forward what we learn.
The danger is that engagement work is often not embedded right across the museum, which is critical if it is to have any chance of lasting impact. Many museums don’t do this because it is hard to do, and because yes, it does involve risk and takes real courage. But if we do not try to work ethically and responsibly, as individuals and institutions, then who will?
With best wishes, Victoria
Dear Victoria:
The dual responsibilities of public servant and global citizen are considerable and are central to the values that guide the work of museums and galleries.
Over the past decade, lottery funds and programmes such as Renaissance in the Regions have meant that many museums have learned a lot about what it really takes to extend their reach and relevance.
These are, to quote the People’s History Museum’s motto “ideas worth fi ghting for”. This exchange was supposed to be a head-to-head, but I think that we are more side-by-side on this agenda. Thanks for the conversation.
All the best, Virginia
