Endings and Beginnings
Looking back on the past 2 weeks, the theme that stood out to me the most was the need for museums to seek out new avenues to connect with the public. Whether it’s creating programs that reflect the wants and needs of the community like the Brooklyn Historical Society, or figuring out the best ways for people to interact with content on the internet like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, museums are at a point where they need to discover how best to adapt to our rapidly changing world or risk becoming outdated and irrelevant. Even looking at the prototypes developed by our groups, the idea of improving connections between visitors, museums, and content was a constant presence.
Since I am graduating this semester, I have been thinking a lot about my own future in museums. Wherever I end up, this seminar has confirmed the importance of making museums accessible to the public at all levels. Without a way to attract and engage visitors- help them have a meaningful interaction with the museum’s collections, staff, and fellow visitors- museums may find themselves out of touch with the people they are meant to serve.
