Description
Book SynopsisSystems Thinking in Museums explores systems thinking and the practical implication of it using real-life museum examples to illuminate various entry points and stages of implementation and their challenges and opportunities. Its premise is that museums can be better off when they operate as open, dynamic, and learning systems as a whole as opposed to closed, stagnant, and status quo systems that are compartmentalized and hierarchical. This book also suggests ways to incorporate systems thinking based on reflective questions and steps with hopes to encourage museum professionals to employ systems thinking in their own museum. Few books explore theory in practice in meaningful and applicable ways; this book offers to unravel complex theories as applied in everyday practice through examples from national and international museums.
Trade ReviewSystems Thinking in Museums: Theory and Practice is the first volume to provide multiple, museum-grounded perspectives on this approach, and is, therefore, a much needed and valuable resource for museums that recognize that they are better off when they operate as open and dynamic learning systems as opposed to traditional, compartmentalized, and hierarchical organizations. Yuha Jung and Ann Rowson Love cover the waterfront with sections on systems theory and specific museum examples. -- Marsha L. Semmel, principal of Marsha Semmel Consulting
What if all the different departments across a museum were operating with a holistic mindset and unified in their common cause? What if museum staff worked collaboratively, learned continuously, and reflected on their work? What if museums became enabling agents for their communities? The future of museums depends upon embracing these questions and many others, and this book will guide the way with penetrating insights and practical guidance. Ignore at your peril. -- Robert Janes, Visiting Research Fellow at the School of Museum Studies, University of Leicester (UK)
Table of ContentsForeword Marsha L. Semmel Section 1: About Systems Thinking in Museums Section 1 Introduction 1.Systems Thinking and Museum Ecosystem Yuha Jung and Ann Rowson Love 2.Mapping the Museum Universe: A Systems Approach Neville K. Vakharia Section 2: Systems Thinking and Museum Functions Section 2 Introduction 3.Dr. Seuss, Systems, and Digital Strategies: Making Sense of Systems Theory as an Emerging Museum Professional Victoria Eudy 4.Paradigms, Visitor-Centered Museum Practices and Systems Thinking Pat Villeneuve and Juyeon Song Section 2 Take Action Section 3: Systems Thinking in Management and Leadership Section 3 Introduction 5.Intentional Practice: A Way of Thinking, a Way of Working Randi Korn 6.Leadership in the Networked Museum: Systems Thinking at Museums Victoria Patrick Greene, Paul Bowers, and Kathy Fox Section 3 Take Action Section 4: Systems Thinking in Personnel Management Section 4 Introduction 7.Enterprise Risk Management and Talent Management as Vehicles for a Sustainable Museum Amy Gilman and Lynn Miller 8.Planning for Cultural Relevance: A Systems Workshop at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum Douglas Worts Section 4 Take Action Section 5: Systems Thinking in Exhibitions and Programs Section 5 Introduction 9.Managing Exhibit Development in a Fluid Environment Caroline Angel Burke and Monica Parker-James 10.We Built an Island Deborah Randolph and Cora Fisher Section 5 Take Action Section 6: Systems Thinking in External Communications Section 6 Introduction 11.Behind Closed Doors: The Uses of Social Media in Museum Transformation and Development Projects Jonathan Paquette and Robin Nelson 12.The Evaluation of Public Goods: Systems Thinking in the Case of Circuito Liberdade Ana Flávia Machado, Diomira M. C. P. Faria, Sibelle C. Diniz, Bárbara F. Paglioto, Rodrigo C. Michel, and Gabriel Vaz de Melo Section 6 Take Action Section 7: Systems Thinking in Community Engagement Section 7 Introduction 13.The Museum as a Catalyst of Social Development: Best Practices to Engage the Community Guido Ferilli, Sendy Ghirardi, and Pier Luigi Sacco 14.Systems Thinking for Visitor-Centered, Community-Engaged Interpretive Planning Swarupa Anila, Amy Hamilton Foley, and Nii Quarcoopome Section 7 Take Action Section 8: Systems Thinking in Fundraising and Financial Sustainability Section 8 Introduction 15.The Application of Systems Thinking and Museum Sustainability Susan Mann 16.Sustainable Fundraising in the 21st Century: Behind the Scenes of the Global Guggenheim Success Natalia Grincheva Section 8 Take Action Section 9: Systems Thinking in Physical Spaces Section 9 Introduction 17.A Third Eye or a Third Space? Systems Thinking and Rethinking Physical Museum Spaces Ann Rowson Love and Morgan Szymanski 18.Participative Design Processes for Museums Tom Duncan Section 9 Take Action Section 10: Becoming a Learning Museum through Systems Thinking Section 10 Introduction 19.Using Systems Thinking in Teaching Museum Studies K. F. Latham and John E. Simmons 20.Toward a Learning Museum and Systems Intelligence Yuha Jung
