(De)colonization of European museums

Five minimum standards for reenergizing postcolonial practices

Bibliographic Data

ID7807930
AuthorsMatilde Dani (0000-0001-7580-7579, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume32
Issue1
Pages5-30
Publication date2025-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Cultural Property (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0940-7391 • E-ISSN: 1465-7317
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0940739125100076
OpenAlexW4412186585
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited29

A museum should be a place where cultures, dialogue, and social relations are enhanced. Given the renewed public interest in the topic, the author poses the question: Is there a need and a possibility to decolonize ethnographic museums? Should we have common and shared practices? In an attempt to eliminate colonial vestiges in museums, an analysis of literature and practices leads the author to analyze five European ethnographic museums in order to understand their merits and shortcomings. The subjectivity of these institutions and the diversity with which colonization can be presented makes the proposal of a single generalized solution not preferable. An objective analysis, based on actions and variables, drives the author to determine, however, that in order to revitalize museum practices, there is a need to create a sharable framework. The design of minimum standards can help museums set clear and measurable goals to achieve a higher level of decolonization

Archaeology · Colonization · Geography · Political science · Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation · Cultural Industries and Urban Development · History · Museums and Cultural Heritage

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