This is an edited post from the Museum Geek blog written by Suse Cairns, a PhD candidate at the University of Newcastle, Australia.
Lately, questions about the use of the term curator have been emerging around the blogosphere. Digital Transformations recently asked whether DJs are curators.
I think that the liberal use of the term curator makes it stronger and more valuable. Some of our sector’s lingo is making its way beyond our institutions, and getting picked up by the mainstream in a positive way.
If the way people understand that being a cool taste-maker who can select and define the zeitgeist is a “curatorial” trait, let them. Maybe we can use this as a way to reach new people.
If we stop trying to take possession over something we never actually owned in the first place, and instead look at it as a new point of entry for a plethora of possible new relationships, maybe we will be delighted by the results.
Lately, questions about the use of the term curator have been emerging around the blogosphere. Digital Transformations recently asked whether DJs are curators.
I think that the liberal use of the term curator makes it stronger and more valuable. Some of our sector’s lingo is making its way beyond our institutions, and getting picked up by the mainstream in a positive way.
If the way people understand that being a cool taste-maker who can select and define the zeitgeist is a “curatorial” trait, let them. Maybe we can use this as a way to reach new people.
If we stop trying to take possession over something we never actually owned in the first place, and instead look at it as a new point of entry for a plethora of possible new relationships, maybe we will be delighted by the results.
