Abstract
In this paper, I consider both the imbedded and unequivocal ways that a museum’s performance venue can be taken up as an example of the ‘cultural public sphere’. This study articulates the museum as an accentuated cultural public sphere—a space where audiences gather; celebrate; take over a centrally located space and a space that acts as a statement of belonging. The paper is also about relationship building with partners so that they are empowered and supported to be their full selves in the cultural public sphere of the museum we invite them in to, and approaches by which we add care to the work of public programming. To illuminate the discussion, I share audience exemplars in youth programs, live music and family programming. The implications presented inform intentional methodologies of how and who we invite into the cultural public sphere and contribute to discussions on belonging in an art museum.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2023 Special Focus—Museum Transformations: Pathways to Community Engagement
KEYWORDS
PUBLIC PROGRAMS, ENGAGEMENT, CULTURAL PUBLIC SPHERE
