Museums and their Communities

by Sheila E.R. Watson

Using case studies drawn from all areas of museum studies, Museums and their Communities explores the museums as a site of representation, identity and memory, and considers how it can influence its community. Focusing on the museum as an institution, and its social and cultural setting, Sheila Watson examines how museums use their roles as informers and educators to empower, or to ignore, communities. Looking at the current debates about the role of the museum, she considers contested values in museum functions and examines provision, power, ownership, responsibility, and institutional issues. This book is of great relevance for all disciplines as it explores and questions the role of the museum in modern society.

Genres: Museums, Museology

Hardcover

First published September 12, 2007

Reviews

[Rachel Podber · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent resource made up of essays covering many aspects of communities within museums and the communities that museums exist within.