How to be Public Matters

While I enjoyed reading Weil's book and loved his idea of somehow creating a grading system, I wonder how and through what organization he envisions would be effective in creating/enforcing one. My big concern is getting a wide range of museums to agree, adhere and enforce some sort of rubric. And what current (if there is one) body has the power to do so? In theory it has potential but how does that translate into reality is a concern. The shift towards the museum as a public service was interesting to read since I can't say that I've ever not though of a museum being an educator/service provider. It's hard to envision another ideology in practice. The AAM report does provide a glimpse into the progression becoming a public servant that the AAM continues to deal with. It seems the end goal is present but how to get there is still an ongoing discussion and gradual process to develop. The article really raised, I think, a critical question of what is the negatives of being consumer/customer driven? Profits, marketing, and making the visitor comfortable does impact what materials and how history can/will/should be presented. Tyson brings up a lot of questions that AAM is trying to solve in some aspects, how to be good public servants.

Effectiveness, efficacy and the attempts to balance or choose one is where museums are at. The need to modern yet be historically responsible is situation museums are at now. These aren't new choices but the responses and influences by the public are. Ownership of the past, present, and the future are being decided by a combination of curators and the community. While I really think the public needs to be more hands on (so to speak) and museums need to be aware of what they showcase influences how people learn/engage in their space, neither (in my opinion) should dominate. Fear of being too community base may negatively affect how and what is shown. But being too removed from the public creates alienation. Weil's discussions on museums being public servants is a great start for shaping responsibility both in the museum world and in the community.