Thirteenth International Conference on The Inclusive Museum

Abstract

How can educational programs in museums act as an inclusive tool and help the youth to better understand themselves as individuals and citizens? Can museums show us new ways of teaching and learning? In the year 2015, I proposed the ESCOLARTE program of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Zulia, Venezuela (MACZUL). The original strategy of ESCOLARTE was to promote an art contest followed by an exhibition for high school students, which until now has probed as a good tool to connect the museum with the schools, students and their parents. As part of my Ph.D. in Art Education at Concordia University Montreal, I discuss the necessity of developing an integrated plan redefining the museum role using de art education to show new ways of learning and as a tool of social inclusion. The research is within the qualitative fields, informed by the theoretical aspects of pedagogy, museums studies, and contemporary art discussions. The methodology of action-research is planned for evaluating and using the ESCOLARTE program, as a starting point and research-based methodologies In, conclusions it will support for a radical change to the symbolic and physical boundaries of the museum, one that has a direct relationship to the communities, envisioning a museum for the 21st century. Especially in the case of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Zulia (MACZUL), because of its socio-political history and urban setting, it can be an example of an institution spatial justice role.