Why I chose to Read the Social Work of Museums

Greetings, I'm Rhonda and am extremely excited to participate in this discussion regarding Silverman's new book The Social Work of Museums. I am a second year doctoral student in curriculum studies at IU Bloomington. While my main academic interests lie in social studies education I am incredibly fascinated by the ways in which museums can be utilized to improve students understanding of civic concepts and how they can assist in the development of differing forms of social or cultural capital.

The Social Work of Museums seems to be a great source of additional information on how museums can act as agents of civic change and their role in the community at large. Also, the author began her career near where I used to live in Philadelphia, and I believe she currently lives and works in Bloomington. The connections were just too many to ignore. Maybe we will see if Dr. Silverman wants to join in on the conversation.

Cheers!

Rhonda

Why I chose Looking Reality in the Eye...

Greetings all! My name is Krystal Gladden and I am a graduate student in the Museum Education class. I chose this book because after reading a short description of the book, I was interested to see the various case studies that highlighted the manner is which museums could become key players in modern social issues. I liked the fact that instead of a long narrative that was broken down into topical chapters, it presented different elements of social responsibility, in different settings, with different authors. Being a person who loves variety, I was partially drawn to this setup because it allows me to read about the observations and experiences of many scholars and professional in the field. I look forward to the many discussions that we will have!

Introduction- Why I chose to read Looking Reality in the Eye

Hi, my name is Jessica Hufford.  I am really looking forward to discussing this book with my classmates and the museum professionals reading along with us.  This is a great opportunity to get real world feed back from individuals that may have dealt with similar issues presented in the book.  I chose to read this book because it deals directly with the concept that museums have a social responsibility.  I agree whole heartedly.  My second reason is, I really appreciate the format of case studies.  Case studies can demonstrate the application of inacting social responsibility, not just vague theoretical concepts.  I look forward to embarking on this journey with you.  Happy reading.

Re-presenting Disability Discussion Questions: #4 'See no evil' and #5 Ghosts in the war museum

Reading #4 discusses the role of traditional Zambian beliefs and how they have shaped negative perceptions of disability. Zambians have deeply rooted ideas about the causes of disability, such as angry ancestors, evil spirits and witchcraft. The introduction of Christianity has worked to dilute some of these beliefs and has started to change public perception, but it seems that traditional beliefs continue to be more influential in the decision by museum operators to avoid interpreting disability. Religion can be a very volatile subject, so what do you think is the best way to approach interpreting disability when its causes are still so strongly attached to the supernatural?

Reading #5 focuses on the absence of war related disability in museums. We commemorate the dead, but ignore the living who have been maimed and psychologically scarred by war. The author uses the examples of genocide and war during the eras of the Holocaust in the 30s-40s, Vietnam and Cambodia in the 70s and Rwanda in the 90s. Consider the amount of time that has passed since these eras. How soon is 'too soon' for displaying exhibits of war related disability? Is it insensitive to confront survivors with graphic images of war in the very places where it occurred?

Choices, Choices: Why I chose The New Museum

I am very much interested in the history of museums. In particular I like thinking about the roles that museum have played throughout history. From the cabinet of curios to the austere buildings full of nationalistic treasures to makeshift hospitals museums have changed a lot in the past several hundred years. I am interested to read about museums through the lens of a professional working in the early 20^th century and to think about how the field has changed (or not) since Dana was writing.

I also feel compelled to confess (in hope that some of you might relate) that I am already behind on the reading schedule. How did that happen so quickly? Rest assured that I will be playing catch-up in the coming days. So look for an insightful post, coming soon!

Re-presenting Disability Discussion Questions: #2 Picturing people with disabilities and #3 Agents at Angkor

Reading #2 discusses the use of Classical portraiture, which is a traditionally elite art form, to give 'social capital' to disabled persons and counteract the negative effects of past images of disability--freak show, charity marketing, and medical photographs. How affective do you think this strategy will be?

Reading #3 describes the Cambodian Landmine Museum and the efforts of its founder to bring attention to the collateral damage caused by landmines and to assist survivors. Click HERE to visit the website. Although the Museum serves its community well and also attracts tourist attention, thus increasing awareness, do you think that images of broken and impoverished landmine victims work to perpetuate the misconception that disabled persons are to be pitied and treated as charity cases?

My Reasons for Reading "The New Museum"

I was inspired to read The New Museum: Selected Writings by John Cotton Dana for a few different reasons. While I am very interested in Museum Studies, I primarily consider myself a public historian. Therefore, I find reading about the origins of prominent theory much more fascinating than just theory.

I also decided to read Dana's works because while working in a small historical society in Wisconsin, I was assigned the task of researching that society's origins. Since I completed that research about three years ago I have been interested in creating a comparative study of the founding of historical societies. While that project remains on my proverbial back burner, as I am plodding my way through coursework, it is a topic I want to revisit one day. Consequently, reading the work of early theorists would only help me contextualize the common themes in early museums. As I began the book, I realized this was truly the case as Dana provides ample advice on starting a museum in part two of section three.

Lastly, I found myself attracted to Dana's frank proses in the snippets I could access online. His pamphlets promise to contain revolutionary museum theory, especially as he was writing in the early twentieth century.

Introduction - Looking Reality in the Eye

I wanted to introduce myself to fellow bloggers who will be reading Looking Reality in the Eye over the course of this semester and provide some background information as to why I chose to read this particular book. My name is Stephanie, and I am a first year graduate student in the museum studies program. My main interests are in museum education and collections.

I chose to read Looking Reality in the Eye in part because of its unique format. I enjoy the fact that each chapter is devoted to a particular case study which allows the reader to reflect and compare the ways in which some museums are organizing themselves around socially responsible missions. I also wanted to read this book to gain a better understanding of how museums can address issues in their communities and have a positive influence on the people they serve while still retaining an educational focus.

The introduction by Janes and Conaty invites museums to challenge the status quo instead of settling into a routine of what is considered normal or comfortable museum practice. I am interested to see how the museums in the case studies presented throughout the book fulfill this challenge. What barriers may exist that inhibit current museum professionals from reorganizing their museum into a socially responsible institution? How are these barriers overcome? I hope that the case studies presented throughout this book will offer different answers to these questions and highlight some of the educational programs that contribute to a socially responsible mission.

Re-presenting Disability: Discussion Question #1 Active practice

Here are links to images of the three statues discussed in this week's scheduled reading. After learning about the controversy over these statues, what is your opinion of them? Are they helpful? Hurtful? Honest? Disrespectful?

FDR


Allison Lapper Pregnant


Churchill

The Social Work of Museums by Lois Silverman- Reading Schedule

Our group members are Justin, Rhonda and Gessica.  Happy Reading!

The week of October 12:
Chapter 1 and Introductions (All)

The week of October 26:
Chapter 2 (Gessica)
Chapter 3 (Justin)
Chapter 4 (Rhonda)

The week of November 9:
Chapter 5 (Gessica)
Chapter 6 (Justin)
Chapter 7 (Rhonda)

The New Museum: selected writings by John Cotton Dana

Reading Schedule:

September 21

Preface and Introduction

October 5

The New Museum

October 12

Museums and Community

October 26

The Experiment of the Newark Museum

November 2

Museums and Education

November 9

Museums and Art

Janes & Conaty ~ Looking Reality In The Eye: Museums and Social Responsibility-Reading Schedule

I'm Dolly, and I'll be working alongside Mandy, Jessica, Krystal, Stephanie, and Meira to get some conversations started about Looking Reality In The Eye. Our team's prospective reading schedule is as follows:

9/14

Introduction (Janes and Conaty)

9/21

History is as History Does: The Evolution of a Mission-driven Museum (Abram)

9/28

Our Story in Our Words: Diversity and Equality in the Glenbow Museum (Conaty and Carter)

10/5

One National Museum's Work to Develop a New Model of National Service: A Work in Progress (DiCosimo)

10/12

Engaging Young Minds and Spirits: The Glenbow Museum School (Gallant and Kidd)

10/19

Liberty Science Center in the United States: A Mission Focused on External Relevance (Koster and Baumann)

10/26

Is Art Good for You? (Pointe)

11/2

Negotiating a Sustainable Path: Museums and Societal Therapy (Sutter and Worts)

11/9

Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Human Remains at the Auckland Museum - Te Papa Whakahiku (Tapsell)

11/16

Telling It Like It Is: The Calgary Police Service Interpretive Centre (Pieschel)

N.B.--We have organized chapter assignments so that bloggers are slated to write on topics related to their own interests. However, since all members of our team must meet class-wide posting deadlines of 10/12, 10/26, and 11/9, some chapters may be discussed here ahead of our reading schedule. We invite conversation at all stages of the process!

Sandell and Garland-Thompson ~ Re-Presenting Disability: Activism and Agency in the Museum Reading Schedule

Sandell and Garland-Thompson ~ Re-Presenting Disability: Activism and Agency in the Museum
Reading Schedule

Week of Sept 12:
1. Active practice

Week of Sept 19:
2. Picturing people with disabilities: classical portraiture as reconstructive narrative
3. Agents at Angkor

Week of Sept 26:
4. 'See no evil'
5. Ghosts in the war museum

Week of Oct 3:
6. Behind the shadow of Merrick
7. Disability reframed: challenging visitor perceptions in the museum

Week of Oct 10:
8. To label the label? 'Learning disability' and exhibiting 'critical proximity'
9. Hurting and healing: reflections on representing experiences of mental illness in museums
10. Histories of disability and medicine: reconciling historical narratives and contemporary values

Week of Oct 17:
11. Revealing moments: representations of disability and sexuality
12. The red wheelchair in the white snowdrift
13. Face to face: representing disfigurement in a museum context

Week of Oct 24:
14. 'Out from Under': a brief history of everything
15. Transforming practice: disability perspectives and the museum
16. Reciprocity, accountability, empowerment: emancipatory principles and practices in the museum

Week of Oct 31:
17. Disability, human rights, and the public gaze: The Losheng Story Museum
18. A museum for all? The Norwegian Museum of Deaf History and Culture
19. Collective bodies: what museums do for disabilities studies

Let the Read Along Begin!

The reading schedules are now being posted. You can check the book page for information on the schedule.  Please feel free to introduce yourself and what drew you to the particular book you are reading with us.  Over the next few weeks each group will be posting responses and reflections to the readings.  Feel free to comment and join in the discussion!

All of the blog posts will be available here on the main page. To make it easier for you to follow your particular book, you'll find the blog postings labeled and listed at the top of the page.

Students are looking forward to a dynamic conversation with you, so please join in!