Research Seminar Review: Questions of Access, Anna Chrusciel (5th March 2007)
Questions of Access: the disadvantaged young in German museums
Anna Chrusciel
Visiting Scholar, Department of Museum Studies
Research Seminar Series, Department of Museum Studies
By Magnus Gestsson
Anna Chruschiel’s seminar “Questions of Access: the disadvantaged young in German museums” was very interesting. It was also clear from her talk that she is very enthusiastic about her topic of research. It is also apparent that she has the potential to increase the visibility of young people in German Museums. To do so she will need a solid theoretical backing that is already available in the department. To underline this Anna made a reference to Eilean Hooper-Greenhill in a handout saying that ‘one of the greatest challenges for museums at the beginning of the twenty-first century is the turn to the visitor.’ It was obvious from Anna’s presentation and further in a conversation at a later point that German museums lack in this area. Museum curators, schools and those responsible for the distribution of cultural knowledge appear to be indifferent when it comes to social responsibility and providing access to cultural resources for young people from disadvantaged background. However, as Anna said that there is an interest in the concept of museums as places of life-long-learning but the downside is that they only play a passive and marginalised role in this debate.
As an example of creativity Anna showed us a video of 250 German teenagers rehearsing dance movements to Stravinsky’s “Le Sacre Du Printemps” and perform in a public concert. It was clear from the video that the whole process was a great challenge but also a rewarding experience.
Anna aims at challenging the current relationship between the underprivileged and the privileged majority of museum visitors and the museums in order to re-think and re-define the role of German museums as regards access to knowledge. I wish Anna every success in contributing to taking German museums into the 21st Century. Well done.
Anna Chrusciel
Visiting Scholar, Department of Museum Studies
Research Seminar Series, Department of Museum Studies
By Magnus Gestsson
Anna Chruschiel’s seminar “Questions of Access: the disadvantaged young in German museums” was very interesting. It was also clear from her talk that she is very enthusiastic about her topic of research. It is also apparent that she has the potential to increase the visibility of young people in German Museums. To do so she will need a solid theoretical backing that is already available in the department. To underline this Anna made a reference to Eilean Hooper-Greenhill in a handout saying that ‘one of the greatest challenges for museums at the beginning of the twenty-first century is the turn to the visitor.’ It was obvious from Anna’s presentation and further in a conversation at a later point that German museums lack in this area. Museum curators, schools and those responsible for the distribution of cultural knowledge appear to be indifferent when it comes to social responsibility and providing access to cultural resources for young people from disadvantaged background. However, as Anna said that there is an interest in the concept of museums as places of life-long-learning but the downside is that they only play a passive and marginalised role in this debate.
As an example of creativity Anna showed us a video of 250 German teenagers rehearsing dance movements to Stravinsky’s “Le Sacre Du Printemps” and perform in a public concert. It was clear from the video that the whole process was a great challenge but also a rewarding experience.
Anna aims at challenging the current relationship between the underprivileged and the privileged majority of museum visitors and the museums in order to re-think and re-define the role of German museums as regards access to knowledge. I wish Anna every success in contributing to taking German museums into the 21st Century. Well done.
Comments
Thanks for the review Magnus!