In 2002 AAM published Mastering Civic Engagement: A Challenge to Museums, but that important and still published work made no mention of technology and telecommunication's ability, even before YouTube, etc. to help achieve that goal. In response, I wrote and AAM published in Museum News (2003), a lengthy essay I wrote, entitled "Civic Engagement in a Digital Age: An Even Greater Challenge to Museums" in which I described then-current and prospective uses of the internet and other tech means to pursue that aim. This December at Museums and the Web - Asia I will report on how technology and the internet have helped move museums even more squarely into the civic engagement arena, and would appreciate any examples that you could share from your own or other museums to be highlighted there and possibly appear in a forthcoming article. *I am seeking examples where interpretetive or internet/telecommunications or social networking played a key role.*
By "civic engagement" I mean those activities, programs, community involvement, which addresses or helps address public issues, stimulates public discussion, engages in activities that build greater civic mindedness. Christopher Gates, in the AAM book refers to activities which "builds communities" and "strengthens democracies." The McCormack Foundation refers to an exhibit that "enables a healthy democracy, where we can freely exchange ideas, consider multiple perspectives, and act on issues that matter to us." The definition can be expanded further but I think you get the idea. Examples can and should come from anywhere in the world. Some examples might include the (online) International Museum of Women collecting and sharing stories of womens' plight around the world. The BMW/Guggenheim which uses technology (games, forums) on site and online to help build visions of communities. Monterrey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch helps mobilize citizens toward achieving a sustainable seafood culture. Brooklyn Museum Go! project both sends out "scouts" to local art galleries and reports and seeks feedback online in anticipation of a forthcoming exhibition......what I like to call "high tech and high touch". I think I have used my word limit here for the year! But I hope to hear from many of you, and that you will all benefit from any response.... thanks len -- Living In Hong Kong Leonard Steinbach Visiting Fellow, City University of Hong Kong Cultural and Heritage Management Program Skype: leonard.steinbach 917 821 6207 852 9828 8174
