Hello, I'm curious if others have observed what I've noticed. After a two-month journey in Europe and a recent discussion with my mother, I've been pondering the contrast in cultural attitudes between Europe and the United States. In the U.S., there's a notable political movement, particularly among extremist Republicans, to defund key cultural institutions such as the Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Endowment for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Humanities. This trend might intensify if Trump secures another presidential term, casting uncertainty over the future of U.S. museums. This situation led me to explore Europe's approach. Despite facing significant challenges like the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, Europe maintains a robust commitment to cultural preservation. Museums there are not just surviving; they are vibrant centers of community life, underscoring a deep-seated belief in the indispensability of culture. Conversely, in the United States, there's a noticeable lack of enthusiasm for supporting cultural institutions. A common viewpoint is that museum funding should be a personal choice, not a collective responsibility. This suggests a reluctance to invest in cultural assets that one doesn't use directly. This perspective highlights a profound divergence in how culture and public institutions are valued and supported, compared to the European approach. #museums
I think this may be partially related to the fact European governments see museums and other expressions of culture as an outlet for nationalist education. There have been many examples (Russia and Italy come to mind most recently) of there being a push for a change in museum officials to suit the current political landscape rather than the defunding that is more likely occur in the US. Looking into the motives behind preservation may reveal an additional dimension to the conversation.
Mark, your post reminded me of this article: https://theconversation.com/science-communicators-need-to-stop-telling-everybody-the-universe-is-a-meaningless-void-215334 I think the author makes a valid point about science communication. Does art that may be seen as confrontational achieve the same effect?
I presented on a related subject at ICOM in 2019 and the Europeans present were shocked at the underfunded state of most museums in the US.
Museum Planner @ Museum Planning, LLC | Author, Exhibition Design
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