Abstract
Many voices have called to promote culture as the fourth pillar of sustainable development as a necessary foundation, condition, groundwork through which understandings of social, economic, and environmental sustainability may appear (Soini & Birkeland, 2014; Hawkes, 2001). Often culture is considered a part of social sustainability pillar, covering manifestations such as equity, participation, social justice etc. (Murphy, 2012; Vallace et al., 2011; Cuthill, 2010). Although the potential of museums towards sustainable development is particularly outlined in literature, there has been no equally radical shift in museum practice (Ross, 2004; Simon, 2010; Nomikou, 2015). The paper proposes a critical review of social sustainability priorities in Latvia’s museum sector by identifying the themes of sustainable development that have been communicated as strategic priorities to stakeholders by Latvia’s nine most popular museums, whose joint annual share of visits amounts to 50% of the country’s total rate (Latvian Academy of Culture, 2018). Qualitative content analysis has been chosen to seek for both direct and latent manifestations of social sustainability priorities and lack of them in museum development strategies and their collection, research, and communication policies, both considered as the most important strategic documents and necessary prerequisite to receive state recognition via state accreditation scheme.
Presenters
Elina VikmaneDirector of Master’s Degree Programme, LKA Research Centre, Latvian Academy of Culture, Latvia
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
MUSEUM VISITORS, SOCIAL INCLUSION, SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY, MUSEUMS, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
