Museum Management

BE AM MM 260
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: 45

Museums managers don’t just preserve the relics of the past just as museums are not simply repository of objects. Museums bring the life of people of all ages alive and contribute to a better understanding of our heritage. After a brief Introduction to the social, cultural, and political history of museums, this course will offer an overview of the contemporary theory and practice of museum work. It will emphasize the interdisciplinary study of museums, and the challenge museum managers face in the age of digitalization. Topics covered will include organizational structure and roles of the various museum departments, operational issues, budget, leadership and strategic planning, legal and ethical issues, users’ studies, and professional development. Visit to Florence museums and cultural non profit organizations will provide students with a direct experience of the reality of museums, and will include lectures by curators, and meetings with other museum professionals. A selection of American museums will be included in the overview to emphasize differences and similarities with Italian approach to museum management.