1st Edition

Museums and Public Value Creating Sustainable Futures

Edited By Carol A. Scott Copyright 2013
    208 Pages
    by Routledge

    208 Pages
    by Routledge

    Public Value speaks to our time - to the role that museums can play in creating civil societies, to the challenges involved in using limited assets strategically, to the demand for results that make a difference and to the imperative that we build the kind of engagement that sustains our futures. This book assists museum leaders to implement a Public Value approach in their management, planning, programming and relationship building. The benefits are long term public engagement and support, which can be used to demonstrate that valuable returns result from public investment in museums. A range of authors from around the world unpack the concept of Public Value and examine its implications for museums. They situate Public Value within current management theory and practice, offer tools for implementation, highlight examples of successful practice and examine the evidence of Public Value that governments seek to inform policy and funding decisions. The book will be required reading for senior professionals in museums, as well as museum and heritage studies students.

    Biography

    Carol A. Scott lives in London and works with museum leaders in the UK, Europe, North America and Australasia, using value as a core concept in planning, branding, audience engagement, measurement and funding. She is recognised internationally for her expertise in this area and is in demand as a conference presenter and thought leader. Her writing on museums and value has been published in Curator: The Museum Journal, Museum Management and Curatorship, Cultural Trends and the International Journal of Arts Management.

    '"Public value speaks to our time... writes Carol Scott in the Preface to this collection of essays by eminent museum commentators. This important contribution to the debate about museum impact and function deals not only with the philosophy of modern museums, but with the management disciplines that will help museum leaders develop effective strategies to deliver and demonstrate true public value. In a world of economic uncertainty and changing socio-political dimensions, a museum’s ability to do this is critical to its purpose, its mission and its future.' Alec Coles, CEO, Western Australian Museum 'This book, written by museum and university experts in the English-speaking world, offers a deep insight into the discussion and reflection of cultural institutions and the public sector on long-term strategies in relation to the return of public investments. An inspiring read, it includes theoretical discussion of public value that is relevant for all museum experts who wish to keep up to date with the latest trends. It provides intelligent reflection on the permanent re-definition of today’s museums and will be useful for museum leaders and public supporters of culture.' Hans-Martin Hinz, President of the International Council of Museums 'The depth and breadth of this book's focus on museums and public value will help any museum professional make a concerted effort to infuse this theoretical framework into new educational efforts that are undertaken. It is well worth reading and pondering.' Diane B. Frankel, USA ’At its core, Carol Scott's book is a rallying cry for museum professionals to reposition their organizations with a clear commitment to relevant, public outcomes. Many authors reaffirm the need to extend this mandate beyond traditional visitors and take stock of the larger cultural needs of our changing societies.’ Museum and Society 'Museums and Public Value is a valuable addition to the field of museum management and museum studies m