Participation and the Post-Museum discusses the concept of participation in museum practice, as well as ideas that constitute the paradigm of the post-museum. Based on extensive empirical research conducted in thirty diverse Polish museums and drawing upon her own museum practice, the author considers whether museums are democratising, or whether this is an illusion that obscures the reinforcement of the authoritarian position that is historically inherent to museums. Referring to different areas of museum practice, the author analyses not only ‘how’ and ‘why,’ but mostly ‘if’ museums are capable and willing to share their power with the public – and how it affects their identity. Drawing on literature from the fields of political and social sciences, as well as cultural and museum studies, on participation and applicability of the term in museums, it becomes apparent that using participatory tools, even when they empower the public to co-author, collaborate, and take co-responsibility, does not necessarily lead to participatory museums. Participation and the Post-Museum argues that museums rooted in the modernist tradition are usually not ready to share power and responsibility with non-experts from outside the museum world. It will be of interest to academics and students of museum studies, museum professionals, culture management, and heritage studies around the world.
