Opinion
Though volunteers can complement staff, they mustn’t replace them
News item: “It has closed more than 40 museums and other attractions because of staff cutbacks to save money.” No – not the UK, but Greece. Could the same thing happen here? And if so, would museum directors feel attracted to the idea of using volunteers to fill in? Possibly. But if so, it is to …
Why museum staff need a Hippocratic oath
In 2002, the European Federation of International Medicine, American College of Physicians, American Society of International Medicine and American Board of International Medicine published Medical Professionalism in the New Millennium: A Physician Charter – an updated Hippocratic oath. The charter’s introduction states: “Professionalism is the basis of medicine’s contract with society.” It goes on to …
We’re all in the same hole, so let’s use our resources to get out of it
There is much talk at the moment about making a case for museums, including the Working in Partnership report published last month by the National Museum Directors’ Conference. While welcoming the report, with its advocacy of excellence, partnership and the requirement for sustained government funding, there is, perhaps typically, a Scouse “but”. The report is …
Letters
Why do museums neglect the public’s favourite heritage? The recent findings that natural history collections are the main reason for people to visit museums in London came as no surprise to those working with these collections across the country. This is contradicted by current resource allocation and focus within many museums and most museum studies …
Scientists say: Get out and get a life
There is now considerable scientific and medical evidence that visiting museums (and other forms of cultural participation) has such a powerful impact on people’s wellbeing that they live longer as a result. This evidence is distinct from the well-established findings on the benefits for health of art therapy and participation in creative activities, because it …