Civilizing the Museum : The Collected Writings of Elaine Heumann Gurian /
Gurian , Elaine Heumann
Civilizing the Museum : The Collected Writings of Elaine Heumann Gurian / Elaine Heumann Gurian - first edition - New York : Routledge , 2006 - 240 Pages ; 24 cm
Includes bibliographical references and index
Written over a 35-year career , the essays in Civilizing the Museum express the powerful , sometimes contested , and often unrealized notion that museums should welcome all because they house the collective memory of all Drawing on her experience working in and with museums in the United States and throughout the world , Elaine Heumann Gurian explores the possibilities for making museums more central and relevant to society The 22 essays are organized around five themes : museum definitions , civic responsibility and social service , architectural spaces , exhibitions , and spirituality and rationality They address the elements she believes would make museums more inclusive , such as exhibition technique , space configurations , the personality of the director , the role of social service, power sharing , types of museums , and the need for emotion , humor , and spirituality Gurian does not suggest abandoning traditional museum purposes - collection , preservation , contemplation , and excellence Instead , she says , museums can honor tradition while embracing the new , and they must not let tradition be an excuse for inflexibility and exclusionary practices Enriched by Gurian's experience in groundbreaking museums , Civlizing the Museum provokes thought , dialogue , and action to realize the inclusive potential of museums Elaine Heumann Gurian is a consultant and advisor to museums As a leader in the field for 35 years , she has worked on the staffs of five museums in the United States and consulted with museums throughout the world She received the American Association of Museums' highest honor , the Award for Distinguished Service , in 2004
(hbk) 9780415357661 (pbk) 9780415357623
2005018536
Museums--Philosophy
Museums--Social aspects
Museum exhibits
Architectural design
AM7 / .G87 2006
Civilizing the Museum : The Collected Writings of Elaine Heumann Gurian / Elaine Heumann Gurian - first edition - New York : Routledge , 2006 - 240 Pages ; 24 cm
Includes bibliographical references and index
Written over a 35-year career , the essays in Civilizing the Museum express the powerful , sometimes contested , and often unrealized notion that museums should welcome all because they house the collective memory of all Drawing on her experience working in and with museums in the United States and throughout the world , Elaine Heumann Gurian explores the possibilities for making museums more central and relevant to society The 22 essays are organized around five themes : museum definitions , civic responsibility and social service , architectural spaces , exhibitions , and spirituality and rationality They address the elements she believes would make museums more inclusive , such as exhibition technique , space configurations , the personality of the director , the role of social service, power sharing , types of museums , and the need for emotion , humor , and spirituality Gurian does not suggest abandoning traditional museum purposes - collection , preservation , contemplation , and excellence Instead , she says , museums can honor tradition while embracing the new , and they must not let tradition be an excuse for inflexibility and exclusionary practices Enriched by Gurian's experience in groundbreaking museums , Civlizing the Museum provokes thought , dialogue , and action to realize the inclusive potential of museums Elaine Heumann Gurian is a consultant and advisor to museums As a leader in the field for 35 years , she has worked on the staffs of five museums in the United States and consulted with museums throughout the world She received the American Association of Museums' highest honor , the Award for Distinguished Service , in 2004
(hbk) 9780415357661 (pbk) 9780415357623
2005018536
Museums--Philosophy
Museums--Social aspects
Museum exhibits
Architectural design
AM7 / .G87 2006