Ethics in the House Museum: the Challenges of Historical Collections
House museums often contain collection objects with dark pasts. Drawing on examples from The Johnston Collection, this lecture considers some of the ethical questions addressed by museum and gallery professionals today. What are appropriate narratives for historical collections in 2024?
Museum professionals steward collections, engage with the public, and maintain the integrity of their institutions. They often also grapple with the dark pasts of collection objects. How should house museums manage objects that have links to challenging histories, for example, objects made from endangered species, or those that depict enslaved people?
This interactive lecture for no more than 33 guests considers some of the many ethical issues considered by museum leaders and includes case studies of fine and decorative arts objects at The Johnston Collection, a house museum in East Melbourne.
Presenter: Dr Louise Voll Box is CEO of The Johnston Collection. She has a background spanning business and the arts and has taught art curatorship and art history at the University of Melbourne.
Your ticket includes tea or Market Lane coffee served before the lecture, and time to browse an exclusive range of books, gifts, and homewares at TJC Emporium.