Revisiting Cultural Participation in Museums

Abstract

This article aims to deepen theoretical and practical engagement with the work of cultural participation in museums from the perspective of early outreach experiences in Mexico. The ideas and practices concerning museums’ social role and their commitment to communities have been consolidating for decades, from conceiving the museum as being “at the service of society” to museum and society working hand in hand. Using La Casa del Museo (1972–1980) as a case in point, this article shows how early experiences and thoughts in Latin America—often unknown to the English-speaking world—contributed to this change of perspectives. Moreover, from a theoretical point of view, it offers a review of cultural participation, its potential contributions as well as its problems and limitations, including the author's model of Holistic Cultural Participation. From a practical perspective, the article shows how this project worked on the outskirts of Mexico City in the seventies and its long-term effects.