Museum Studies – Bridging Theory and Practice

Abstract

This book is a handbook for everyone who is interested in museums and the wider cultural and cultural heritage debates. In the spirit of lifelong learning, it aims to connect the humanistic discipline of museum studies with the wider context of society. Museums possess power as safekeepers of our memories. This book will, in its own small way, take part in the discussion of making our past and future memories matter, to show how important it is for us to understand our past. In our contemporary culture it often seems that no time is allowed for this kind of understanding; the constant flow of issues and “must dos” often hinders us from seeing the connections between our past and present. In this turmoil, things in the past can too easily be regarded as non-urgent and less important. We, the editors, wish to shed light on why museums matter; we believe that it is important to launch a book that is directed both to readers within the arts and cultural heritage sector and readers outside of it. It is clear that readers within the sector tend to agree with one another on the major cultural issues. For these readers, our book offers up-to-date knowledge on the latest developments that have taken place in Finland. It is as important to make these issues visible to readers who situate themselves outside the sector and to connect these issues with the wider context of society. The knowhow of cultural heritage disciplines will aid in understanding the changes we are facing in the 21st century and help give them perspective. Museum Studies – Bridging Theory and Practice is an edited collection of 27 chapters by leading scholars and practitioners, most of whom work in Finland. The book will, for the first time, give a concise presentation of current research and practice in Finnish museum studies to a wider international audience, as well as to students and museum professionals in the field in Finland. The book combines current theoretical and practical approaches to museum studies, thus making it the first English-language handbook of Finnish museology.