Eleventh International Conference on The Inclusive Museum

Abstract

At present Norway is, in line with a series of other European countries, experiencing immigration. Ways of handling a new diverse society is a topic that appears in a series of national strategy documents. The traditional museum concept has been challenged and new ways of mediating history are introduced. Documenting modern migration from the 1960s and onward raises new opportunities for museums. We ask what means and approaches Norwegian museums use today to involve migrants in museum work and how they include stories and experiences from modern migrants in their collections? Three museums have been selected as cases for further study. The main source material is interviews with museum professionals. The findings from the case study will be analysed in view of national cultural policies, museum guidelines, and integration strategies. There is a risk that immigrant heritage mainly is being identified with its more “folklore” aspects (festivities, national costumes, food) and defined on the premises of the major national culture. It is important that immigrant heritage is included as part of the national story to escape illusionary equality.