Museums, libraries, and cultural institutions provide opportunities
for people to understand and celebrate who they are, were, and might
be. These institutions educate the public and civilize society in a
variety of ways, ranging from community events to a single child
making a first visit. The Museum Effect documents this phenomenon,
explains how it happens, and shows how institutions can facilitate
this process. Cultural institutions vary dramatically in size, nature
and purpose, but they all allow visitors to hold conversations with
artists and authors perhaps long dead. These conversations, sometimes
with others present, and sometimes with artists, scientists,
explorers, or authors not present, allow visitors to explore their
lives and their “possible selves.” Cultural institutions inspire
personal reflection, and help visitors better themselves, in that they
leave having contemplated what is noble, excellent, or exemplary about
the society in which they live. The “museum effect” is a process
through which cultural institutions educate and civilize us as
individuals and as societies. These institutions allow visitors to
spend some time with their thoughts elevated, and leave the
institution better people in some meaningful fashion than when they
entered. This visionary book presents the underlying idea and the
argument for the museum effect, along with empirical research
supporting that argument. It will help those working in museums,
libraries, and archivists to facilitate this process, and study how
this is working in their own institutions.
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Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9780759122963
Publisert
2015
Utgiver
Vendor
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter