What is the 'Ideal Image of a Museum' for a New Era?
The Culture Council WG released a report outlining the 'ideal image' for Japanese museums, emphasizing structural reform to address challenges and enhance societal roles.Summary
The Culture Council's Art Promotion Working Group (WG) released a report detailing the 'ideal image of a museum' necessary to overcome current challenges and fulfill future roles. The report stresses the need for structural reform, focusing on defining clear missions, visions, and values, alongside diversifying the museum framework, organizational structure, and revenue streams. Experts highlighted issues such as low international recognition, the problem of curators handling excessive non-specialist tasks ("Zatsugeiin"), rigid hiring systems, and over-reliance on public funding. Achieving the ideal image requires integrating personnel with private sector business experience, incorporating diverse perspectives into exhibition planning, and shifting toward sustainable financial models. Furthermore, museums must evolve into 'cultural commons'—regional cultural hubs that actively engage with society on issues like well-being and accessibility. The consensus is that the art community must unite to actively lobby the government for necessary changes in laws and administrative systems.
(Source：美術手帖)