Eighteenth International Conference on the Arts in Society

Abstract

Satellite museums emerged at the end of the 20th century as the conjunction of two antagonistic interests: the decline of public funding and the rise of a new cultural tourism, both of which represent challenges that have resulted in social debates. Over time, such projects have tended to become the subject of many social debates. These tend to arise when it is perceived that a museum is not being approached from a social and cultural dimension but from an economic one. The Louvre Abu Dhabi or the Guggenheim Helsinki are some of the most prominent cases but there are many more. This research is based on the analysis of a developing contemporary phenomenon. By studying the different trends in the satellite museum model through case studies, the aim is to trace patterns of convergence in order to develop a global interpretation of the strategy. Methodologically, it is based on the triangulation of qualitative techniques (bibliographic and documentary analysis, interviews, etc) and quantitative techniques (virtual ethnography and social network analysis), taking into account the need to approach the subject from an interdisciplinary approach that reflects the multi-dimensional reality of museology. The application of a participatory perspective to the study of the satellite museum model can incorporate communities in the formulation of such projects. Participatory culture makes it possible to break down the wall between artistic expression and social and civic engagement, based on social support, thus opening a dialogue and establishing a connection between the individual, the community and the institution.