Museums and Identities

by ICOM Austria, ICOM Czech Republic, ICOM Slovakia, ICOM Poland
and Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów

"Museums and landscapes are an essential element of humanity's physical, natural, social and symbolic environment." Based on this first sentence from the ICOM Resolution of the 24th ICOM General Conference in Milano 2016 “The Responsibility of Museums Towards Landscape" we want to continue the discussion initiated during the first Seminar in 2017, about the impact museums have and how they react to the landscape that surrounds them, urban or rural. What particular responsibility for protecting this natural heritage and to promote sustainable development do museums have?

But the term "Landscape" also implies other perspectives: How are museums influencing the cultural, social, economic or political identity of the area and society they are situated in? They choose what objects are collected, presented and protected, what stories are told and how. They define what is handed on to future generations. “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility" to quote Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt and Spider-Man. Therefor we want to question the role of governmental authorities or financial sponsor and how they might influence the presentation or content of exhibitions. How do museums react to financial dependencies or state-ideologies?

As we are celebrating the European Year of Cultural Heritage this year, we celebrate the diverse cultural heritage across Europe. We want to raise the question if museums not only preserve Europe's cultural heritage at national, regional and local level, but if they also are in the position to be an important factor to contribute to build an European identity that is felt to be still missing.

CFP - Call for Papers:

Topics of interest for submission include:
1. Perspectives: Different Identities and Missions of Museums
2. Neighbours: Impact of Museums on Cultural Landscapes and Social Networks
3. Politics: Museums in Historical and Contemporary Context
4. Nature: Environmental Impact of Museums
5. Economy: Impact of Museums on Local Development & Financial Sustainability
6. European Union: Impact of Museums on European Identity

We invite to send an original research abstracts, case studies before the Abstract submission deadline. All research papers will be evaluated by international Committee. All the accepted abstracts will be eligible to be presented at the seminar after the confirmation of participation.


Applications:
Please complete the attached application form and send it to:
konferencjamuzeum-wilanow.pl

Downloads:
CFP:
http://icom-oesterreich.at/sites/icom-oesterreich.at/files/attachments/call_for_papers.pdf

Application:
http://icom-oesterreich.at/sites/icom-oesterreich.at/files/attachments/cfp_app_form.docx

Important Dates:
Abstract submission deadline: May 1, 2018
Notification of accepted applications: May 31,2018

Language:
English

Publication:
Selection of lectures will be published