Considerations on the principles and practices of cultural planning and management of exhibitions in science museums

Abstract

Museums have been experiencing a growing movement to improve their management processes. This dynamic can be interpreted as a concrete mark of a maturing period of the field, both in theoretical and conceptual terms, as well as in practical terms. Such period aimed at confering greater refinement of the museums’ cultural processes. The present article proposes the perspective of cultural management to understand how science museums deal with one of their main communication channels with the public: the exhibitions. Based on a qualitative approach, an empirical research was conducted in two museums located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From the perspective of the interviewed subjects, the research shows the pathways of each museum regarding the processes of conception and management of their temporary exhibitions. In a dialogue with the literature, the research raises questions about the democratization of the decision process, taking into account different levels of participation. Two cathegories were considered for analysis: the principles and conceptual orientations present in the development of temporary exhibitions, and the political dimension expressed by the decision-making processes. Finally, the research considers the many challenges faced by an institution of such complexity, which are expressed by the multiplicity of academic, technical, and political visions, and materialized in the actions directed at the public.