Assessing participatory practice: A case study of community engagement by museums in Japan

Authors:

• Shannon Advincula, Master of Arts in Museology
• Chair: Meena Selvakumar
• Justin Jesty
• Atsunori Ito

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Abstract:

Frameworks of new museology have reshaped perceptions about the societal role of museums, proliferating attempts to facilitate more active engagement and participation by communities in order to enhance an institution’s social impact and relevance. However, measurements of participatory practice and institutional and social impact have been based predominantly on case studies of museums in western-centric contexts and locales. To more fully assess the societal role of museums globally, this research examines case studies involving current practices of community engagement by three museum institutions in Japan: the National Museum of Ethnology (Minpaku) in Osaka, Art Tower Mito (ATM) in Ibaraki, and Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park in Hokkaido. An analysis of the intentions, methodology, and outcomes of these community engagement practices contextualized within international museology, national cultural policy, and local contexts reveals that museums in Japan are initiating projects of community participation with varying degrees of intentionality towards the facilitation of social impact. Strategies of community agency, an investment in building relationships, and collaboration with external organizations are helping Japanese museums facilitate community engagement practices that are fostering a sense of purpose and belonging within staff and communities, but are challenged by limited resources and funding to support the unquantifiable values of community engagement work in museums.