Mapping a New Museum: Politics and Practice of Latin American Research with the British Museum

Mapping a New Museum explores innovative projects in Latin America that aim to make the British Museum's Latin American collections meaningful to communities. The projects supported by the Santo Domingo Centre of Excellence for Latin American Research (SDCELAR) at the British Museum challenge intellectual orthodoxy and value critical and alternative forms of knowledge.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 376 pages
Publication date: 21 December 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Rewritten text:

Mapping a New Museum: Rethinking the Museum's Role in a Politically Conscious World
In this thought-provoking book, the authors embark on a mission to reimagine the museums' role in the contemporary world, where political awareness and social consciousness are paramount. Presenting a curated selection of innovative projects that have taken place in Latin America over the past year, the book sets the stage for exploring the potential future of global museums.

The projects featured within the pages of this book were all supported by The Santo Domingo Centre of Excellence for Latin American Research (SDCELAR) at the British Museum (BM), with the overarching goal of making the BMs Latin American collections meaningful to communities in the region and beyond. These projects serve as powerful illustrations of how communities engage with cultural heritage, challenging the notion of a singular, all-encompassing counter-narrative to decolonize museums.

Reflecting on and experimenting with the ways research occurs within museum collections, the interdisciplinary collaborations described within these pages leverage collections as powerful tools to tell stories that destabilize societal assumptions and actively seek out what has historically been overlooked. The result is a research environment that fosters intellectual orthodoxy and values critical and alternative forms of knowledge.

One notable aspect of Mapping a New Museum is its commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity. The book includes English and Spanish versions of every chapter, emphasizing the self-referentiality of Anglophone literature in the field of museum anthropology. This bilingual approach ensures that the book reaches a broader audience, including students, scholars, and museum practitioners from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

As a comprehensive resource, Mapping a New Museum will be invaluable to students, scholars, and museum practitioners worldwide. It offers insightful perspectives, practical insights, and inspiring examples that will contribute to the ongoing dialogue and evolution of the museum sector. By challenging traditional paradigms and embracing new approaches, the book empowers individuals and organizations to shape the future of museums in a way that aligns with the changing social and political landscape.

In conclusion, Mapping a New Museum is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh perspective on the museums' role in a politically conscious world. Through its innovative projects, interdisciplinary collaborations, and commitment to diversity and inclusivity, the book empowers individuals and organizations to reimagine the museums' potential for positive impact and transformation. As we navigate a rapidly changing global landscape, this book serves as a valuable guide for those seeking to shape the future of cultural institutions.

Weight: 952g
Dimension: 157 x 234 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367754983