Museums in Motion: An Introduction to the Histories, Functions, and Aspirations of Museums

by Juilee Decker

Overview

This book explores the histories and functions of museums while also looking at the aspirations of museums as they shift from their rather simple form of a treasury, storehouse, and tomb to something much more complex and people-centered.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538155738
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	08/06/2024
Series:	American Association for State and Local History
Edition description:	Fourth Edition
Pages:	366
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.76(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Juilee Decker, Ph.D., is professor of history at Rochester Institute of Technology where she directs the Museum Studies/Public History program and co-directs the Cultural Heritage Imaging Lab. She earned her Ph.D. from the joint program in art history and museum studies at Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Museum of Art. She serves as editor of the peer-reviewed journal Collections (SAGE).

Table of Contents

Preface to the Fourth Edition
Acknowledgements
Section I: Museum Histories
Introduction to Section I: Museum Histories
Chapter 1: Art and Design Museums
Chapter 2: Natural History and Anthropological Museums
Chapter 3: Science Museums
Chapter 4: History, Place, and the Past
Chapter 5: Gardens, Zoos, and Children’s Museums
Section II: Museum Functions
Introduction to Section II: Museum Functions
Chapter 6: To Conserve
Chapter 7: To Exhibit
Chapter 8: To Interpret
Chapter 9: To Engage
Chapter 10: To Serve
Section III: Museum Aspirations
Introduction to Section III: Museum Aspirations
Chapter 11: Transparency, Openness, and (Land) Acknowledgements
Chapter 12: Labor, Equity, and Inclusion
Chapter 13: Antiracism, Belonging, and Coalition-Building
Chapter 14: Risk Taking, Risk Aversion, and Leadership
Chapter 15: Sustainability, Empathy, and Collecting
Index
About the Author
In Memoriam: Edward P. Alexander, 1907-2003
In Recognition: Mary Alexander

Editorial Reviews

Since the last edition of Museums in Motion, much has happened to transform museum practices – massive civic unrest, increased demands for racial and economic justice, a major global pandemic, an elevated climate crisis and significant growth in the decolonization and repatriation movements. The new edition reminds museum workers that we are participants, not victims, in this change, and encourages us to focus on the exciting opportunities that are available to creatively meet new challenges.” —Jennifer Scott, executive director and chief curator of the Urban Civil Rights Museum

“Museums in Motion, Fourth Edition, provides a thorough overview of the various kinds of museums, the history of their development, and their functions. This title is an essential resource for all museum professionals.” —Lindsey Passenger Wieck, PhD, associate professor of history, director of Public History, St. Mary's University

From the Publisher

Museums in Motion, Fourth Edition, provides a thorough overview of the various kinds of museums, the history of their development, and their functions. This title is an essential resource for all museum professionals.

Lindsey Passenger Wieck

Museums in Motion is a core text for museum and curatorial studies courses and a valuable resource for anyone in the museum profession. The inclusion of provocative and inspiring reports on contemporary practice provides special value.

Peter Morrin

Since the last edition of Museums in Motion, much has happened to transform museum practices – massive civic unrest, increased demands for racial and economic justice, a major global pandemic, an elevated climate crisis and significant growth in the decolonization and repatriation movements. The new edition reminds museum workers that we are participants, not victims, in this change, and encourages us to focus on the exciting opportunities that are available to creatively meet new challenges.

Jennifer Scott

The new updates and inclusions by Juilee Decker make this version very relevant for today’s students and will give them an important framework as all of us in the museum field face a challenging future. It is most accessible to both the undergraduate and graduate student as well as being informative for the working museum professional. I give this book my highest praise—it combines the history and function of museums elegantly and the special highlights from the museum professionals give it an additional connection to the real world.

Pamela J. White

I am thrilled to see a thorough update of this classic book on museums and museum functions. Museums in Motion can once again serve as the essential introductory text for any museum studies course.

Laura B. Roberts