Curator: The Museum Journal, Volume 67, Issue 3, Page 541-544, July 2024 ..read more

Abstract In Brazil, the decolonial turn has prompted a discursive reconfiguration of art museums over the last decade, primarily through exhibitions driven by critical and reparative thinking. Consequently, alternative perspectives have emerged, aiming to propose exhibition narratives rooted in marginalized knowledge and imaginaries. Focusing on the Museu de Arte do Rio (Rio Museum of Art) as a privileged place of thought, this article delves into the curatorial methodologies employed for two exhibitions: Mulheres na Coleção MAR and Casa Carioca. These exhibitions have paved the way for anothe ..read more

Abstract Underpinned by the Model for Museum Exhibit User Experience (MEUX; King et al., Visitor Studies, 2023, 26, 59), this paper develops and presents an evaluation methodology for museum exhibits that utilizes existing methodologies from the user experience sector adapted for the museum and cultural heritage sectors. Two studies are presented: an in-depth evaluation of the Meat the Future exhibition at Oxford University Museum of Natural History and then a comparative study between this exhibition and two other permanent exhibits at the museum. Quantitative and qualitative data provid ..read more

Abstract To achieve their conservation missions, zoos and aquariums must understand how their audiences make judgments about animal wellbeing, as public trust and learning outcomes hinge on the extent to which animals living in these institutions seem well cared for. While previous research has investigated public perceptions of animal wellbeing, the majority of this work has focused on specific species or programs, with few studies employing qualitative research methods. Using qualitative analysis of data from 37 semi-structured interviews with visitors to the Oakland Zoo, this study explores ..read more

Curator: The Museum Journal, EarlyView ..read more

Abstract Safeguarding and inheriting a society's intangible cultural heritage (ICH) music is essential for preserving cultural identity and fostering cultural diversity. A primary motivation for the formation and continuous activities of the heritage preservation community is the concern over losing valuable cultural assets. Incomplete histories, missing documents, and limited access to both tangible and intangible resources are all repercussions of lost heritage, affecting both the public and scholarly sectors. Given the inherent fragility of intangible cultural forms such as dance, language ..read more

Abstract The Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium, reopened after an 11-year renovation. In addition to completely cleaning the exterior façade of the neoclassical building, a new, modern wing was built inside former internal courtyards—a glossy, white cube with very high ceilings and a dramatic 100+ step flight of stairs. The historical part of the museum was also fully renovated to its original grandeur. The collection was reinstalled, and the overall interpretive strategy focused on making the art approachable to a multigenerational and multicultural visitorship: Eschewing chronolo ..read more

Abstract This paper engages in a reflexive analysis of a curatorial research project conducted in the museum when access was restricted due to the 2020 lockdown. This case study follows an action research design and was located at the Luis Seoane Foundation (A Coruña). This is a physical and virtual space for artistic and educational experimentation. This space emerges from the need to reinvent museum didactics and participant guidance from a new perspective. Thus, an online community was activated where museum staff, artists and other contributors could participate, showing how cultural space ..read more

Curator: The Museum Journal, EarlyView ..read more

Abstract This article discusses a cocurated hybrid (online + onsite) exhibition Apart/Together, which was specifically created to support the community during the challenging times of COVID-19. Its primary aim was to highlight and foster the theme of friendship, while also showcasing the artworks of two contemporary artists, one from the United States and the other from China. The curatorial team forming the backbone of Apart/Together consisted of students from China and the United States and this diverse team of curators played a crucial role in shaping the exhibition's content and approach ..read more