Sweibel Arts’ Post

Art is as old as human history, but art museums as we know them are relatively modern institutions that have always adapted to reflect their times. No longer identifying themselves as stewards of artwork for people who can afford to collect it, many museums now embrace their nonprofit status to serve and engage the public at large. But how is such transformation reflected in museum operations, and how can museums leverage innovation to support their evolving missions? Read more: https://lnkd.in/eJ_AdjwD By Stephen Reily, Remuseum

"Museums are just as crucial to the future as the future is to museums. Not only can our museums bring history to life, but they can also shine a light on our present and future – a light which can be hard to find elsewhere." This is a fantastic article by MuseumNext, highlighting the importance of museums to society and the integral role they play within communities around the world. Read their top five reasons as to why we need museums now more than ever. https://lnkd.in/g-qVgS_p

The recent article celebrating the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) “Half A Decade of Open Access” brilliantly highlights the #museum’s remarkable journey and its pivotal role in promoting #openaccess to #art and #culture. Jane Alexander and her team have truly paved the way, showing how technology can democratize access to cultural treasures. Their efforts are commendable and set a high standard for the global art community. Amidst the platforms leveraging CMA’s open data, #FeelTheArt should be noted for its contribution to extending the reach of these artworks to remote audiences. It uses CMA’s open access content effectively, importing and translating details on 14,000 artworks into 10 languages. This contributes greatly to inclusion, education, and #accessibility. The platform enriches art availability with engaging and interactive experiences. #Augmentedreality (AR) and #AI features enhance art #education and engagement. These technologies are especially beneficial for the elderly and those who cannot visit museums in person. By recognizing FeelTheArt alongside other platforms that use CMA’s open content, we can appreciate the full spectrum of innovation and dedication to making art universally accessible and enjoyable. CMA’s initiative is critical in this mission, contributing uniquely to the broader goal of cultural access and participation.thanks for this work Jane Alexander LIVDEO La French Touch La French Tech Business France

The global museum landscape is still recovering from the blows dealt by the COVID-19 pandemic. While visitor numbers are on the rise, a new survey reveals they haven't quite reached pre-pandemic levels yet. This article dives into the details, exploring how museums around the world are faring and which ones are experiencing a faster rebound. https://lnkd.in/e_fVAqKj

Art museums are still a young and dynamic field, always changing: from royal collections to public goods, from clubhouses for the elite to engines of economic development. Now "palaces for the people," the primary goal of art museums is no longer built around preserving objects and assuming the public will be interested in them; it is now built around engaging the public in the process of finding meaning in art. It's a bold and exciting vision. But does the public feel that shift? Does the information that museums share with the public does reflect the trust or transparency that the public expects from institutions that earn its respect and loyalty? Do their budgets and practices (which museum boards and leaders endorse) represent mission-compliance, or mission neglect? Thanks to Observer for sharing Remuseum's research and questions for the field.

Alaine Arnott, Ph.D. Arnott, Ph.D. I’m curious what you mean by “being ostracized, for not ‘conforming’ to another”, what exactly do you believe the museum has been pressured to conform to? What about these requirements are harmful or unhelpful? Ideally, diversity and inclusion should be viewed as progress, correct? So where is the disconnect in the policy that’s written? Do you feel speaking out on what’s happening to the Palestinian people would be “conforming” to what’s being asked of the museum? I for one would love to see the museum standing firmly in it’s advocacy for the rights of those who need their voices amplified. No matter the cost. I would’ve felt immensely more supported as an employee and a woman if the museum had shown any kind of support or solidarity when Roe v. Wade was overturned, knowing the staff is majority women. But the institution was completely silent. Maybe I need to do some research of my own on DEI requirements to understand why they seem to be so oppressive to the mission of National Liberty Museum? Is this a shortcoming of DEI requirements, or the shortcoming of a institution that ultimately wishes to be conservative? If that’s the case…. Just own it. But if your institution truly wants to fight for liberty, there should be no question of how to remain steadfast in that goal.

An architecture or space that holds many precious items, historic objects, paintings, a drawing room for a few, and for some maybe a hot or iced cuppa and browsing at the cool cafe or bookstore all it is. Yes, it is worthwhile visiting a museum, even a gallery or a mini exhibition in your office area or school. It can do wonders, that is also if you know how to see, are curious enough, and have an open mind and heart for an experience with an understanding of the specific purpose each of these exhibitions hold. Not just a box of precious items, but history and culture, and thus what you will find in there varies, how it is presented to you also comes with levels of dynamism. It is an educational experience first-hand if seen with the right lenses, and with great depth at length, you could leave feeling enlightened or left pondering. Either is great. It is the narrative, the story that unravels for me, the individual. So go in there and see, feel captivated and drawn or at least be a quiet observer.

Can endorse this op-ed recommendation from the Rubin. This is a great example of what it looks like to decide on and implement a bold new strategy--without hedging or watering it down.

Art galleries and museums are contested public spaces where social hierarchies are questioned and subverted. They can present a range of different perspectives and beliefs, in which the past and the present are represented at the same time. Art galleries and museums are sites where dominant discourses can be critiqued by presenting competing voices and exhibiting diverse points of view. The conflicting voices and assimilation of the “words of others,” and the idea of meaning-making found between the speaker’s and the listener’s voices, can situate art galleries and museums as public spaces for dialogue. As public spaces, art galleries and museums can help facilitate the sharing of individual memories and stories as multiple versions of history offered in the public sphere with the intent of building community. 

Day #4 of the Art + Culture & Museums American Evaluation Association Blog week: If you are engaged in evaluation, philanthropy, and/or socially engaged programming and you're not familiar with Justin Laing, MPM, now is your time to change that. Clearly, I'm a bit biased as his Co-Chair with the Arts + Culture & Museums group with AEA, but this 2-min read is an outstanding introduction to reflecting on the ubiquitous term "culture," and how it relates to arts/museums programming.