South African Museums Association Bulletin
Scope & Guideline
Exploring the Past: Shaping the Future of South African Museums
Introduction
Aims and Scopes
- Cultural Heritage and Identity:
The journal examines how museums serve as custodians of cultural heritage and how they shape and reflect identities within contemporary South African society. - Decolonization of Museum Practices:
A significant focus is placed on the decolonization of museum policies and practices, addressing historical injustices and reinterpreting collections in a manner that respects and acknowledges indigenous narratives. - Museum Education and Technology:
The journal emphasizes innovative educational strategies in museums, exploring how technology can enhance learning experiences and support global sustainable development goals. - Dark Tourism and Memory:
There is a growing interest in the role of museums as sites of dark tourism, examining how they engage with difficult histories and the implications for memory and identity. - Visitor Engagement and Feedback:
The journal also addresses the importance of visitor feedback in shaping museum practices and enhancing visitor experiences, reinforcing the notion of museums as community-centered spaces.
Trending and Emerging
- Decolonial Practices and Epistemic Repatriation:
There is a significant increase in publications addressing the need for decolonial practices and the moral responsibility of museums to engage in epistemic repatriation, reflecting a broader global movement towards justice in cultural heritage. - Integration of Technology in Museum Education:
The integration of information communication technology in educational strategies is becoming a prominent theme, highlighting the importance of digital engagement in enhancing learning experiences. - Critical Engagement with Power Structures:
Emerging discussions critically analyze the power dynamics within museums, particularly how inherited colonial collections can influence contemporary practices and societal narratives. - Reflections on Dark Tourism:
The exploration of museums as dark tourism destinations is gaining traction, indicating a growing interest in how museums can navigate and represent difficult histories while engaging with visitors on complex themes.
Declining or Waning
- Traditional Exhibition Practices:
There is a noticeable decrease in discussions surrounding conventional exhibition methods, indicating a possible shift towards more interactive and participatory approaches to museum displays. - Colonial Narratives in Museum Contexts:
The focus on colonial narratives and their representation in museums seems to be waning, as the discourse increasingly emphasizes decolonization and the reclamation of indigenous voices. - General Museum Management:
Topics related to general museum management strategies and operations have become less frequent, suggesting that the journal is prioritizing more critical and socially engaged discussions over administrative concerns.
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