
What Are Museums For?
Jon Sleigh(Author)
Bristol University Press
1st Edition
Published on 25. June 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
166 pages
978-1-5292-3139-7 (ISBN)
Description
The days when museums were dusty, stuffy institutions displaying their wealth and wisdom to a reverential public are over. Museums today are a cultural battleground. Who should decide what is put on display and how it is presented? Who gets to set the narrative?
In this passionately argued book, Jon Sleigh maintains that museums must be for all people and inclusion must be at the heart of everything they do. But what does good inclusion look like in practice? Cleverly structured like a museum tour, Sleigh uses seven illustrative museum objects from seven very different museums to explore such wide-ranging issues as trust-building, representation, digital access, conflicting narratives, removal from display and restitution.
In this passionately argued book, Jon Sleigh maintains that museums must be for all people and inclusion must be at the heart of everything they do. But what does good inclusion look like in practice? Cleverly structured like a museum tour, Sleigh uses seven illustrative museum objects from seven very different museums to explore such wide-ranging issues as trust-building, representation, digital access, conflicting narratives, removal from display and restitution.
Reviews / Votes
"Gentle and eloquent, encouraging and accessible, this is a book for anyone who has asked 'What are museums for?'" Museums Journal "The coffee conversations with museum changemakers we have been waiting for. Emotional, insightful, and deeply human." Angela Stienne, University of Leicester 'Revealing the museum experience to be emotive as well as intellectual, this book presents a succinct and articulate clarion-call for equitable access.'Sophie Hatchwell, University of Birmingham
"Cannot recommend this heartfelt, generous and expansive book enough. Never didactic or patronising, Sleigh is endlessly curious, thought provoking and socially conscious - the perfect guide to our museums and the people who make them today!" Esme Ward, Director of Manchester Museum "A lovingly written, generous book that gives voice to the art workers who are at the heart of shaping the museums of today and tomorrow." Alice Procter, author of The Whole Picture
"Sleigh explores museums as sites of discomfort, community and emotion, revealing not just what they are, but what they could and should be."
Sean Curran, Historic England
"Inclusion isn't just a task for a select few - it's a collective responsibility. Through heartfelt personal narratives, expert insights, and a real time live tour, Sleigh empowers us to redistribute power beyond the confines of the museum worker, fostering a culture where everyone plays a vital role in creating the museums our communities deserve." Dhikshana Turakhia Pering, Museum of London "A quick, informative resource for readers seeking an overview of the key concerns facing museums as they begin to evolve into the accountable, representative, inclusive institutions they are called on to be. This work is essential to museum studies and a valuable addition for art history or arts-related collections. Essential." Choice
More details
Series
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
10 s/w Abbildungen
10 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 199 mm
Width: 123 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
178 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5292-3139-7 (9781529231397)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Jon Sleigh
What Are Museums For?
E-Book
06/2024
1st Edition
Bristol University Press
€14.49
Available for download
Person
Jon Sleigh is a freelance arts and heritage Learning Curator, working nationally connecting audiences with artworks and collections for their advocacy. He was formerly Learning Officer for the Arts Council Collection based at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
Author
Learning Officer for the Arts Council Collection based at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Content
1. Introduction: The Emotional Museum Encounter
2. The Classical Museum
3. The Museum in Service of Others
4. The Digital Museum
5. The Museum and Trust
6. The Queer Museum
7. The Changing Museum
8. The Future Museum?
2. The Classical Museum
3. The Museum in Service of Others
4. The Digital Museum
5. The Museum and Trust
6. The Queer Museum
7. The Changing Museum
8. The Future Museum?