Museums (395-0-1)

Topic

Museums and Responsibility

Instructors

Kathleen Bickford Berzock

Meeting Info

Block Conference Room: Mon, Wed 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

In 2020, ICOM (International Council of Museums) ratified an updated definition of "museum", which states:

A museum is a not-for-profit, permanent institution in the service of society that researches, collects, conserves, interprets, and exhibits tangible and intangible heritage. Open to the public, accessible, and inclusive, museums foster diversity and sustainability. They operate and communicate ethically, professionally, and with the participation of communities, offering varied experiences for education, enjoyment, reflection, and knowledge sharing.

What constitutes a museum's responsibilities is a question that undergirds ICOM's definition. In this course we will consider the responsibility of museums, with art museums as our focus. Among the questions that will be raised and debated in the course are: what responsibilities do museums have for the care and stewardship of their collections? What do museums owe to individuals and communities with connections to the objects currently in their care? What obligations do museums have to donors, founders, and funders? What makes museums good neighbors in the communities where they are based? What responsibility do museums have to their histories and the history of museums generally? In the course we will address these questions through readings, dialogue with practitioners and knowledge sharers, class discussions, and short writing assignments. Several case studies will be highlighted. The course will be held at the Block Museum and will include interactions with Block staff and engagement with The Block's current exhibition, Actions for the Earth: Art, Care & Ecology.

Class Materials (Required)

No textbook required.

Class Attributes

Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area