Negotiating a Sustainable Path: Museums and Societal Therapy

In this chapter by Glenn C. Stutter and Douglas Worts, they discuss the museums role in assessing the needs of the community. They state that “while museums can and should be addressing sustainability through the non-formal education system, they also have a much broader role to play as active facilitators of social change at local and regional levels” (pg. 131).

Many people can relate to viewing sustainability as this large and looming global issue impacting ecosystem health, economic development, and social justice. The authors argue that people need “social therapy” because of the growing divide that has grown between man and nature. This gap continues to widen the more technologically advanced that our society becomes. In order to help combat this human- nature split, “museums can help by encouraging people to become more conscious of critical relationships that link them to nature and to other people” (pg. 137).

This was the goal of The Human Factor exhibit at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum which:

1. Examined the scope and consequences of human activities

2. Identified the industrial worldview as the root of multiple global and regional issues

3. Stressed the importance of restorative economics, choices, and our connection to nature.

Even after highlighting the issues surrounding sustainability, the harsh reality is that it is a complicated and chaotic topic that is out of any one individuals control. Putting visitors face to face with this reality was a challenge because the developers knew that it could illicit an emotional response from visitors. Instead, the authors encourage museums to allow their respective communities to identify their needs, and reflect on the ramifications of their current actions. Basing the presentation of information on a front-end evaluation may cause some museums to feel as if they are relinquishing their authority. Rather, I agree with the authors when they describe how using these surveys can create a bridge between the museum and the community and set the museum up as a place of non-formal learning as well as an avenue for social advocacy. This may be more of a challenge depending on the various exhibits created for various communities, but no matter the subject of the exhibit it is always important to connect the material to the needs and interest of the surrounding community.