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Museums are under fire currently from all quarters on account of a wide range of ethical issues, from their association with morally dubious regimes to the questionable provenance of objects in their collections and the perceived lack of inclusivity of their exhibitions. This book examines why the art museum has become a focus for society’s ethical concerns in the 21st century, whether it is ever possible for a museum to be a neutral space, and what a policy framework for a more ethical museum could look like. Gareth Harris's compelling and balanced analysis draws on interviews with museum leaders and a wide range of visual-arts professionals in the UK, Europe and the US. It considers examples of best practice in a sector which is struggling to balance increased ethical demands with an often perilous financial situation in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Museums are under fire currently from all quarters on account of a wide range of ethical issues, from their association with morally dubious regimes to the questionable provenance of objects in their collections and the perceived lack of inclusivity of their exhibitions. This book examines why the art museum has become a focus for society’s ethical concerns in the 21st century, whether it is ever possible for a museum to be a neutral space, and what a policy framework for a more ethical museum could look like. Gareth Harris's compelling and balanced analysis draws on interviews with museum leaders and a wide range of visual-arts professionals in the UK, Europe and the US. It considers examples of best practice in a sector which is struggling to balance increased ethical demands with an often perilous financial situation in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.