Democracy, Museums, and Civil Society: Exploring the Role of Museums as Public Spaces
Open Access
- Author:
- Gurklis, Alyssa Marie
- Area of Honors:
- Community, Environment, and Development
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Theodore Roberts Alter, Thesis Supervisor
Theodore Roberts Alter, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- democracy
museums
public space
critical pedagogy
rhetoric
public memory
informal learning
citizenship
enabling setting
narrative inquiry
power and privilege
community development - Abstract:
- Political rhetoric and popular discussions of the day would lead one to believe that many citizens are losing faith in the prowess of American democracy. When thinking about how one might begin to grapple with the challenges associated with issues facing American democracy, the need for innovative community development strategies is evident. The focus of this research is based on a number of compelling ideas surrounding dialogue, democracy, place, and the use of art as a mechanism for community development and capacity building. Drawing inspiration from examples of arts and community development, this research looks at the places that play a role in creating healthy democratic societies. The objectives of this research are to explore whether museums can be public spaces that are effective “free” spaces for fostering the public interaction and dialogue that is essential to creating and sustaining healthy democratic societies; whether museums can enable individual and collective agency and learning; and whether museums can meet the goals of enabling and inspiring greater social and political change. Based on insights collected from a sample of twelve museum professionals and scholars, the findings of this research point toward many questions for further inquiry. While many interviewees express that they see potential for museums to be public spaces, even “free” spaces, they also recognize a number of complex barriers that keep museums from meeting this potential. This work concludes with a discussion that aims to encourage museums leaders to think even more deeply about the role of museums in fostering democracy.