How Caribbean Museums Involve Local Communities: PhD Research by Csilla Ariese
As we have seen, museums in Europe house many archaeological artefacts from the Caribbean. Of course, the Caribbean itself is also home to many museums and collections. Previously, these museums were only researched individually, or within one linguistic area, such as the English-speaking Caribbean. This research project was the first to conduct a region-wide study of museums in the Caribbean and, in particular, its focus was on community engagement. In essence, community engagement is the myriad of ways in which museums involve communities in any part of their work. As you can imagine, the diversity of cultures and communities in the Caribbean provided a unique and optimal setting for such a study.
Results
Using museological and anthropological approaches, the core data consisted of fieldwork visits to 195 museums throughout the region (Click on the map to enlarge), as well as two in depth case studies. The results firstly showcase the diversity of community engagement practices as they are applied by Caribbean museums and how these practices are influenced by museum type and location. For instance, archaeological museums used fewer interactive displays but more often relied on research collaborations with universities. As another example, community and grassroots museums were more frequently located outside of capital cities, whereas the opposite was true for governmental museums.
Secondly, the results reveal the dynamic processes of community engagement in relation to contemporary Caribbean communities. These processes are greatly influenced by the needs of these communities and their expressions of identity, often entangled in colonial pasts. The two case studies showed these complex dynamics when indigenous or immigrant communities initiated the creation of museums and exhibitions in collaboration with national institutions.
Answering the Questions
Finally, I would like to highlight two ways in which this research provides answers to the overall research questions of the project. In relation to the first question, this research reveals how colonial museums and collections have developed in the Caribbean and how newer museums adapt museological concepts to fit their particular needs and communities. What’s more, many of these contemporary communities trace their roots through colonial trajectories.
As a response to the second question, this project’s outreach activities have increased awareness of contemporary Caribbean museums and their roles in Caribbean communities, revealing possibilities for future museum projects and developments. One of these, mentioned earlier today, is the NEXUS exhibition.
By Csilla Ariese-Vandemeulebroucke
