Change of museums by change of perspective: Reflecting experiences of museum development in the context of "eurovision-museums exhibiting Europe" (EU culture programme)

Abstract

Europe is growing closer and closer together, society is getting more and more diverse and characterized by migration. Museums need to adapt themselves to this process and to become places where all members of society feel represented and are stakeholders in their cultural heritage. But what about local and regional museums which are preserving cultural heritage? Are these museums ready for this type of Europe? For a society that is getting more varied, with more frequent migration, and resulting in more mixed audiences and modern viewing habits and learning habits, how can museums prepare themselves for this challenge? The museum development project "EuroVision-Museums Exhibiting Europe" (EMEE), funded by the Culture Programme of the European Union, sees these as fundamental questions. The core element of the project is the idea of Change of Perspective (COP), a three-layered concept which encourages multi-layered meanings in museum objects to become more visible, aiming to renegotiate the roles of museum experts and visitors and to strengthen international networking between heritage institutions in order to broaden national perspectives on heritage and overcome Eurocentric views. The EMEE project develops theoretical input on Change of Perspective but also puts into practice the ideas and reflects the experiences of international and interdisciplinary cooperation. The concepts developed by EMEE project are put to the test and conveyed to visitors and museums experts not only through the contest for young designers and scenographers, but also through the EuroVision Lab., an experimental series of exhibitions and actions. Ideas as well as statements of the executive museum partners provide an insight on how the Change of Perspective can be implemented in the museum work and contribute to presenting cultural heritage in a contemporary European way. The experiences of EMEE are conducive to the discourse and dialogue on cultural heritage in a changing world.