New Directions for University Museums

New Directions for University Museums is a book that examines trends affecting university museums and provides potential directions for them in the 21st century. It emphasizes the importance of university museums becoming more outward-facing, engaging with the public and the world, and addressing key stakeholders. It also discusses the expectations of stakeholders, navigating political polarization, the relationship between the university's research and teaching mission, the university-donor relationship, and public communication of research. The book is intended for all those who work in, benefit from, or are interested in university museums.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 375 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

New Directions for University Museums is a valuable resource for university museum leaders looking to plan strategically for the challenges and opportunities of the 2020s. By examining trends affecting university museums and responding to those forces, the book offers a series of potential directions for these institutions in the 21st century.

While university museums share many similarities with other types of museums, such as art, natural history, and archaeology, they also have unique characteristics that require special attention. One of the key challenges facing university museums today is their dual responsibility to campus and community. These institutions continue to mount exhibitions that are attractive to the communities in which they are embedded, but they are also rethinking the nature of their service to town and gown in response to larger trends around accessibility.

It is no longer sufficient for university museums to simply attract visitors; they are becoming much more active and outgoing in their outreach to the broader public. They have unparalleled access to academic firepower, but university museum research is no longer the sole province of academics, intended for publication in scholarly journals. In the 2020s, research is being made much more relevant to existential problems of the world. For example, some university museums are bridging the gap between academic research and teaching, and the most pressing social issues of our time, such as climate change, the fight against racism, and the interface between humans and technology.

University museum research is no longer cloistered, and these institutions are finding ways to better leverage the new knowledge yielded by collections-based research for both the university and for the public. This includes developing new exhibitions, programs, and initiatives that engage with a wider audience and using digital technologies to enhance access to collections and information.

In conclusion, New Directions for University Museums is a timely and important resource for university museum leaders looking to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the 2020s. By examining trends affecting university museums and responding to those forces, the book offers a series of potential directions for these institutions in the 21st century. By embracing new technologies, collaborating with other institutions, and focusing on research that is relevant to the broader public, university museums can play a vital role in shaping the future of museums and cultural institutions.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538157732