The viability of South African museums in the post-1994 landscape
Date
2009-04-21T09:48:00Z
Authors
Tomose, Nkosinathi G.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Museum studies in South Africa have predominately focused on addressing issues of
politics and practice of museum displays and exhibitions, particularly in the period
following the 1994 South African elections. These studies have led to the transformation
of many past museum displays and exhibits. They have also opened up new research
opportunities within the field of museum studies, such as the current study on social
viability and economic sustainability of South African museums. In this research report I
assess a range of museum operational models in and around Johannesburg and make
recommendations about the best current operational model and on the potential model for
future developments of culture and heritage museums in Johannesburg.
Recommendations on some of the strategies that museums in and around Johannesburg
need to adopt in order to develop further their social responsibility projects are given,
based on my experience of how museums in Washington, D.C raised alternative funds
towards such projects. The Section 21 Company model is seen as the best current
museum operational model and has potential for future museum developments in Johannesburg.
Description
Keywords
South African museums, sustainability, Johannesburg, Heritage presentation, Operational models, Heritage management