Interconnected impact: using CHAT to understand art museums as systems

ABSTRACT

The call for museums to change and move toward community-based practices has resounded across the field for the past few decades and is only increasing in volume and force, particularly surrounding issues of inclusion and equity. Yet, museums are not renowned for their ability to change and the research on change is lacking. This project at a local art museum explored the museum as a system, using Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) rather than looking at one exhibition or program. This theoretical and analytical approach shed light on the ways that museum work and practices are interconnected, as well as situated in particular historical, social, and cultural contexts.

KEYWORDS:

• Art museums
• organizational change
• community engagement
• systems
• cultural historical activity theory

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Sarah Jo. Ward received her Ph.D in Learning Sciences from the University of Washington. Her research exists at the intersection of community, institution and place. She researches organizational change management, community-based design, and equity. Currently, she is a consultant in the Pacific Northwest.

ORCID

Sarah Jo Ward http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1383-0498