Civic Roles
1. What civic roles and responsibilities are contemporary museums asked to undertake and what are the future possibilities? Museums and libraries roles in communities have evolved from institutions of scholarly research and focus to centers of cultural enrichment and social engagement. Museums many times are the front doors to communities that serve as centers for public interaction and collective participation in an overall collaborative educational experience. Safe havens for cultural and civic expression, museums reflect the broader ideas and possibilities for social change. 2 Communities and museums are becoming strong partners in the cultural and social life of citizens and empowering those citizens to take ownership of its institutions.
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How do museums adopt inclusion and diversity as core values that inform plans, processes, exhibitions, and programs? Museums, through cultural leadership and diversity of its exhibits and exhibitions can communicate inclusion and diversity throughout a community and beyond.
Incorporating exhibits that are socially and culturally diverse challenges communities and effect intellectual and cultural change in the perspectives within the social groups that patronize museums. By bringing new perspectives through programs and exposing visitors to cultures that range in all aspects of social, religious, philosophical, geographical, and racial cross sections brings understanding and acceptance to a community that is lacking in diversity in its population. 5
3. How do museums cope with constantly shifting political, social and economic ground? Through building civic partnerships and maintaining an active community profile, museums can be the barometer of change and shifting ideologies that can create instability in the life of a museum. Museums must be bridge builders and sensitive to the economic climates of their local communities as well as regional and national economic trends.2 Museums that cope well with shifting challenges are those that have engaged their communities and provide programs and services that well serve the civic needs with effective methods of staying a viable and valuable institution within the community. Museums must adapt to change as do any entity that depends on community
How do museums adopt inclusion and diversity as core values that inform plans, processes, exhibitions, and programs? Museums, through cultural leadership and diversity of its exhibits and exhibitions can communicate inclusion and diversity throughout a community and beyond.
Incorporating exhibits that are socially and culturally diverse challenges communities and effect intellectual and cultural change in the perspectives within the social groups that patronize museums. By bringing new perspectives through programs and exposing visitors to cultures that range in all aspects of social, religious, philosophical, geographical, and racial cross sections brings understanding and acceptance to a community that is lacking in diversity in its population. 5
3. How do museums cope with constantly shifting political, social and economic ground? Through building civic partnerships and maintaining an active community profile, museums can be the barometer of change and shifting ideologies that can create instability in the life of a museum. Museums must be bridge builders and sensitive to the economic climates of their local communities as well as regional and national economic trends.2 Museums that cope well with shifting challenges are those that have engaged their communities and provide programs and services that well serve the civic needs with effective methods of staying a viable and valuable institution within the community. Museums must adapt to change as do any entity that depends on community