Data Themes

As you learned in Module 1, the engagement campaign Museums for Me was conducted as part of Reconsidering Museums. The data collected revealed three themes: Access, Authority, and Activism.

Access:

Access is about removing barriers and can refer to different types of accessibility including physical, financial, cultural, and intellectual accessibility. Accessibility in museums means that source communities have access to collections, and that information and knowledge is shared in a way that is understandable, relevant, and engaging. It means that the museum is inclusive, and a place where people see themselves reflected in exhibits, collections, and programs.

Canadian museums are doing this well but have room to grow. Canadians know about and visit museums, feel welcome in them, and recognize them as safe spaces. But nearly all want museums to be more inclusive and representative of their communities.

Highlights from the data:

• 94% of respondents agree that museums make them feel welcome and provide what they need for their visits
• 88% of respondents agree that the museum is a safe place
• 76% of respondents think that museums give people a sense of belonging and membership in a community
• 52% of respondents agree that museums need to better represent all Canadians.

For more information, watch the video below for the Getting to Relevance Through Accessibility and Representation data story.

     

To hear some of our project partners discuss access, listen to episode two, "Access", of Why Museums Matter, a limited series podcast created as part of Reconsidering Museums. 

Authority:

Authority is about the perception that museums are trusted to provide accurate and credible information. Canadians continue to trust museums and to consider them a credible source of information. They value museums for their role in preservation and learning. To maintain this role, we heard that the museum must reimagine its relationship to the truth, and as ‘trusted advisor’ to the publics it serves. Canadians want museums to continue to tell the truth, but to also embrace more diverse types of expertise, including community knowledge and lived experience.

Highlights from the data:

• 95% of respondents agree that the museum is a place to preserve and care for art and objects, and to tell their stories
• 95% of respondents agree that the museum is a place to learn and be inspired
• 80% of respondents agree that museums are a highly credible source of information, above daily newspapers and television
• 58% of respondents agree that museums should have dialogue with local communities to develop programs that resonate with community interests

For more information, watch the video below below for the Telling the Truth: Trustworthiness, Learning, and Sharing Authority data story. 

  

To hear some of our project partners discuss authority, listen to episode three, "Authority", of Why Museums Matter, a limited series podcast created as part of Reconsidering Museums.

Activism:

Activism is about the role of museums as change-makers, allies, and leaders in a changing society. Canadians are divided on the question of neutrality, but not on the need for museums to take a leading role on important issues. The museum has value as a teacher, ally, and an agent of change. Canadians see the potential of the museum as a possible leader, and a model, poised to act, but doubt that the sector will rise to the challenge.

Highlights from the data:

• 94% of respondents think that the museum can address societal issues
• 68% of respondents think museums should be neutral and unbiased in their presentation of material and exhibits
• 65% of respondents agree that museums should play a prominent role in education when it comes to addressing societal issues
• 44% of respondents agree that museums should play a more active role in advocating for social change

For more information, watch the video below below for the Social Change, Activism, and Neutrality data story.

  

To hear some of our project partners discuss activism, listen to episode four, "Activism", of Why Museums Matter, a limited series podcast created as part of Reconsidering Museums.