What Are Museums For?

Museums are a cultural battleground, and Jon Sleigh argues that they must be for all people and inclusion must be at the heart of everything they do. He uses seven illustrative museum objects to explore issues such as trust-building, representation, digital access, conflicting narratives, removal from display, and restitution.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 166 pages
Publication date: 25 June 2024
Publisher: Bristol University Press

The days of dusty, stuffy museums, where their wealth and wisdom were reverentially displayed to a devoted public, are long gone. Today, museums have become a hotly contested cultural battlefield. The question of who gets to decide what is displayed and how it is presented, as well as who controls the narrative, is at the forefront of discussions. In his compelling book, Jon Sleigh passionately argues that museums must be accessible to all people and inclusion must be at the core of their operations. However, what does true inclusion look like in practice? Sleigh cleverly structures the book like a museum tour, using seven illustrative museum objects from seven diverse museums to explore a wide range of issues, including trust-building, representation, digital access, conflicting narratives, removal from display, and restitution.

Museums have always played a significant role in shaping our understanding of the world, but in recent years, they have faced increasing criticism and scrutiny. Some argue that museums are too focused on preserving the past and neglecting to address the pressing issues of the present. Others claim that museums are exclusionary and inaccessible to certain groups of people, such as minorities, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals.

One of the key challenges facing museums today is the issue of inclusion. Museums must strive to be welcoming and accessible to all members of society, regardless of their background, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. This requires a commitment to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of museum operations, from programming and exhibitions to staffing and governance.

One way that museums are working to promote inclusion is by using innovative approaches to storytelling and exhibition design. For example, some museums are using interactive displays, multimedia installations, and virtual reality experiences to engage visitors of all ages and abilities. Others are creating exhibitions that focus on underrepresented groups and marginalized voices, such as women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Another challenge facing museums is the issue of representation. Museums must ensure that their collections and exhibitions accurately reflect the diversity of the world and the experiences of different groups of people. This requires a commitment to collecting and preserving objects and artifacts from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds and to avoiding perpetuating harmful stereotypes or biases.

Digital access is also an important issue for museums. With the rise of the internet and social media, museums must ensure that their collections and exhibitions are accessible to people from all over the world, regardless of their location or financial resources. This requires a commitment to digital preservation and accessibility and to providing online resources and interactive tools that allow visitors to explore and learn more about museum collections.

Conflicting narratives are another challenge facing museums. Museums must navigate the complex and often conflicting narratives surrounding historical events and cultural heritage. This requires a commitment to transparency, accuracy, and inclusivity in the way

In conclusion, museums are a vital part of our cultural heritage and play a critical role in shaping our understanding of the world. However, they must be willing to adapt and evolve to meet the changing needs of society and to promote inclusion and diversity in all aspects of their operations. By using innovative approaches to storytelling and exhibition design, collecting and preserving objects and artifacts from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds, and providing digital access to their collections and exhibitions, museums can continue to be a powerful force for positive change in the world.

Weight: 188g
Dimension: 203 x 128 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529231397