Museum Philosophy for the Twenty-First Century - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0759107548 ISBN 13: 9780759107540

Publisher: AltaMira Press, 2006

Synopsis

What underlying philosophy and mission should museums pursue in the first half of the twenty-first century? In Museum Philosophy, twenty-four authors use the lenses of a variety of disciplines to answer this essential question. Museum professionals offer their answers alongside philosophers, historians, political scientists, educators, sociologists, and others in a wide-ranging exploration of institutions from art museums to zoos.

Hugh Genoway's book offers philosophical and ethical guidelines, describes the ways specific institutions illustrate different philosophies, examines major divisions in the museum community, and explores outreach and engagement between the museum and its larger community. Both established museum professionals and students of museum studies will benefit from this insightful look into the foundations and future of their field.

About this title

About the Author:

Hugh H. Genoways is Professor of Museum Studies and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has co-written Museum Administration with Lynne M. Ireland, published by AltaMira Press in 2003. He is also the editor of Collections: A Journal for Museum and Archives Professionals.

Review:

Hugh Genoways has engaged national and international proponents of museological theory and practice to address a range of topics that will benefit museum personnel as they prepare for the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century. This is a book that should be read with a keen eye toward the expanding roles and responsibilities of museums in the new millennium. (Gary Edson, Executive Director, Museum of Texas Tech University)

This volume offers a rich feast of essays about museums of all kinds and from every point of view. In our rapidly changing society, the role of every kind of institution needs reexamination and reevaluation. For those concerned with museums and their future, valuable help will be obtained from the thoughtful and often provocative perspectives offered here. Both theoretical and practical, they should be considered carefully by all those interested in enriching our cultural and scientific future. (Peter H. Raven, President, Missouri Botanical Garden)

In the interest of stimulating healthy debate, essays were solicited from contributors representing both museum professionals working in a wide variety of museums, as well as scholars who write about museums but work in other disciplines, to provide an outside perspective. Adding a further layer of diversity, authors represent a number of different countries, whose approaches represent a variety of philosophies. I found myself doing a lot of scribbling of musings in the margins as I read ― always a sign of a book that provokes gut reactions and stimulates thought... This book would undoubtedly be a useful addition to the library of any museum professional, and a springboard for discussion and debate in any course on contemporary museum practice. (Dee Stubbs-Lee, The New Brunswick Museum in Saint John, NB)

Hugh Genoways has assembled an all-star cast of some of today's most courageous thinkers in the museum world to ponder where our institututions are heading. Taken together, their essays offer a diverse set of opinions, often provocative, always intelligent. This book is essential reading for those of us who care about museums' integrity, promise, and future. (Marjorie Schwarzer, Professor and Chair, Department of Museum Studies, John F. Kennedy University)

About this edition

• Publisher: AltaMira Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0759107548
• ISBN 13: 9780759107540
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 310
• Editor: Genoways Hugh H.