PARTICIPATION OF THE PUBLIC IN POLISH MUSEUMS

Abstract

In the 21st century, participation is one of the key words related to the operations of museums and debate around them. The public are encouraged to co-create museum projects: exhibitions, programmes that accompany exhibitions, studies; they play the role of consultants and advisors (youth councils, clubs, consultancy teams). Museums are more and more widely ‘opening’ to embrace the public. Never before has the position of visitors been as significant. An overview of participatory programmes in Polish museums is provided. They are classified and characterized by the Author who places them within the philosophy of museum operations, particularly with respect to the altering role of museums, currently debated over within ICOM, with the context of the new museum definition in mind; furthermore, she presents the initial conclusions drawn from the implementation of such projects for museums. In the paper the material from interviews conducted as part of the Atlas of Museum Participation Project implemented with a grant from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage has been used.