Cultural Sustainability and Social Inclusion: A Case Study of Contemporary Art Museums in Hungary

The general aim of museums today is to achieve the greatest possible cultural, social and economic impact, while having minimal repercussions on the environment (Pop and Borza 2016). Research on SDGs (sustainable development goals) by CIMAM (International Committee for Museums and Collections of Mod...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Museum international 2023-01, Vol.75 (1-4), p.164-177
Main Authors: Fehér, Zsuzsanna, Kay Smith, Melanie, Ásványi, Katalin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case studies
Contemporary art
Economic impact
Inclusion
Innovations
Museum studies
Museums
Social impact
Sustainability
Sustainable development
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Summary:The general aim of museums today is to achieve the greatest possible cultural, social and economic impact, while having minimal repercussions on the environment (Pop and Borza 2016). Research on SDGs (sustainable development goals) by CIMAM (International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art) demonstrates ‘the importance of museums leading by example, respecting society, the environment, and their pivotal educational role within communities. Embracing this responsibility serves as the key driver for cultural institutions to enact positive change’ (ICOM 2022b, n. page). In this article we present a case study of Hungary, a country in which the museum ‘landscape’ is undergoing change, with examples of already-innovative practices, especially involving contemporary art museums. 14 in-depth interviews with contemporary art museum professionals highlight the growing importance of cultural sustainability, while examples of artist-centred outreach projects with disadvantaged communities illustrate social inclusion in context. This research sheds light on the role of contemporary art museums in achieving the SDGs, diversifying audiences by reaching more communities and creating engaging experiences for visitors.
ISSN:1350-0775
1468-0033
DOI:10.1080/13500775.2023.2343216