3. Measuring worth Purposive – A clear sense of what purposes external to themselves they are seeking to accomplish Capable – Command the means requires to accomplish those purposes Effective – Demonstrate the ability to accomplish the purposes Efficient – Are able to do so in a maximally economic manner 3 Wilcox
4. Not all measurements are equal Purposiveness and capability are the building block of a museum, ambiguity is the downfall Efficiency must be balanced Effectiveness is all the reallymatters 4 Wilcox
5. Romance vs Realism Romantic view Realist view A museum is an institution of universal and positive value Museums are “inherently good” in this paradigm Efficiency centered Problems: It can’t be bad It could deliberately foster misunderstandings A museum is a value-neutral organizational instrument with the capability to be used for a many purposes Intention vs. Outcome centered Problems: Isn’t sure how to measure impact 5 Wilcox
7. So why do museums matter? They are institutions for the community, meant to enrich their patrons well being and knowledge Museums are home to objects with powerful histories that help people better understand the past Every museum can have a different purpose, so their potential is unlimited 7 Wilcox
8. Contextual and Aesthetic value The first Amendment: Free speech is free, as long as it isn’t vulgar Aesthetic durability! Can it withstand the test of time? 8 Wilcox
9. Good vs. Bad Museums Good Bad Purpose driven Make a positive difference in the quality of peoples lives Do they even exist? 9 Wilcox
10. What to do with bad museums In a sense they should be of greater concern than a good museum They tie up resources and diminish museums reputations So what should be done to bad museums? If a museum is bad it should be fixed immediately, or closed 10 Wilcox
11. Collecting Private collecting today is the same, but institutional collecting has changed greatly Three primary reasons for change Exponential growth rate Legal rules proliferated enormously Most importantly, the nature of museums themselves underwent a complete transformation. Inward concentration to outward concentration 11 Wilcox
12. How technology affects museums With the rise of nanotechnology, could we have exact clones of original pieces of art? Would they be under the same protection as the original piece, including copyright laws? With the ability to encrypt data copyright laws have found a loop to be more or less protected infinitely 12 Wilcox
13. Beyond the doors Museums can be a compelling agent of fundamental social change Through enrichment of visitors museums help form an educated, informed, sensitive, and aware citizenry Help build a just, stable, abundant, harmonious, and humane society 13 Wilcox
14. Carrying ideas out Contains great rubrics to rate the success and value of museums Could help refocus a museum staff Great tool to inform students 14 Wilcox
