Date of Award

1-1-2014

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Organizational Unit

College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences

First Advisor

Christina Kreps, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Dean J. Saitta

Third Advisor

Frederique Chevillot

Keywords

Social responsibility museums, Cultural representation, Race, Ethnicity

Abstract

Although museums have moved towards more reflexive practice, misrepresentation continues to be a concern. How then can museums successfully represent racial and ethnic groups that have historically been marginalized or misrepresented? In this thesis I argue that with greater integration of the social responsibility paradigm--which argues that museums can be agents of social change-- museums may be able to improve representation. During the summer of 2013, I conducted field research that explored how the social responsibility paradigm was or was not being enacted at The History Colorado Center and Museo de las Americas. This thesis offers a critical analysis of these institutions' philosophies, exhibitions, and related programs. Analysis reveals that the social responsibility paradigm is being adapted into museum work, but often to varying degrees. Moving past surface portrayals of racial and ethnic heritage through a greater acknowledgement and incorporation of the social responsibility paradigm may help to transform museums into more collaborative spaces.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Rights Holder

Angela Rueda

Provenance

Received from ProQuest

File Format

application/pdf

Language

en

File Size

151 p.

Discipline

Museum studies, Cultural anthropology, Ethnic studies

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