Museums and Community (M & C) was a national initiative conceived in 1998 to explore the potential for dynamic engagement between American communities and their museums. This initiative involved a national task force, six community dialogues at locations across the country, and continuing conversations between community leaders and the museum field. The grant funded initiative has ended, but the work between museums and community has just begun. Responsibilities of civic engagement continue to evolve as museums and communities change and grow.
This initiative is part of AAM’s ongoing role as a venue and catalyst for the exploration of new ideas, and in the identification, analysis, and dissemination of best practices. In addition to the books mentioned on the right, the results of the initiative are available to the field through the following resources.
- A significant revision of AAM’s Museum Assessment Program’s Public Dimension Assessment was a direct result of the Museums and Community initiative
- The AAM Information Center has a maintains a section on engaging the community. There you will find the AAM Board Museums and Community Resolution, articles, and other resources on the topic.
- Cultivating Community Connections, Museum News, May/June 2003
- Learning Community: Lessons in Co-Creating the Civic Museum, Museum News, May/June 2001
The conclusion from the Museums & Community initiative that museums have an essential role in civic engagement lead to the AAM Board of Directors naming diversity an important strategic issue. Read more
