The Social Museum in the Caribbean

A mosaic is the only image which can do justice to museums in the Caribbean. They are as diverse and plentiful as the many communities which form the cores of their organizations and the hearts of their missions. These profoundly social museums adopt participatory practices and embark on community engagement processes in order to embed themselves firmly in contemporary Caribbean societies.

This dissertation presents a mosaic of 195 Caribbean museums and the results of a unique research project based on a mixed methods approach. It begins with a macro view of Caribbean museums and their participatory practices. This part of the study consisted of a regional museum survey in which the museum visit was approached as an event, leading to the creation of an extensive database of Caribbean museums and their participatory practices. The dissertation continues by zooming in to a micro level to explore the dynamics of community engagement processes in two case studies. The Kalinago Barana Autê in Dominica shows the ongoing process of an indigenous grassroots initiative that became a governmentally owned but locally managed museum. The Bengal to Barbados exhibition in Barbados reveals the complex dynamics of the beginnings of a co-curation project between a heterogeneous migrant community and a national museum.

By giving voice to grassroots museums, this dissertation shifts the museological discussion away from the usual suspects to consider topics such as the ephemeral museum. By combining a regional museum survey with case studies, it provides both overarching and close-up views of this mosaic. From ecomuseums and object donations, to multi-vocality and participatory styles, and the need for negotiation and representativity, the study reveals a multitude of facets of the social museum in the Caribbean.

This book is a unique resource for museologists around the world, especially those interested in community engagement. It is particularly valuable for those working in, with, or on museums in the Caribbean.

Contents:

1. Introduction

Museum History

Previous Research

Research Questions and Objectives

Outline

2. Theoretical Framework

New Museology

Defining the Museum

Community Engagement

3. Methodological Framework

Research Approach

Regional Museum Survey

Case Studies

Research Ethos

4. Caribbean Participatory Practices

Museum Foundation & Organization

Museum Collections & Exhibitions

Museum Visitation

Summary

5. Case Study: Kalinago Barana Autê, Dominica

Brief History of the Kalinago in Dominica

The Kalinago Barana Autê

Fieldwork: Aims and Experiences

Perceiving the Kalinago Barana Autê

Summary

6. Case Study: Bengal to Barbados Exhibition, Barbados

Brief History of the East Indian Community in Barbados

The Barbados Museum & Historical Society

The Bengal to Barbados Exhibition Project

Fieldwork: Aims and Experiences

Perceiving the Bengal to Barbados Project

Summary

7. The Social Museum

Grassroots and Governmental Museums

Participatory Practices

Community Engagement Processes

Summary

8. Conclusions

The Social Museum in the Caribbean

Recommendations

Acknowledgements

References

List of Figures

Appendix

Index: Caribbean Museums Database

Questionnaire: Kalinago Barana Autê

Questionnaire Results: Kalinago Barana Autê

Questionnaire: Bengal to Barbados

Questionnaire Results: Bengal to Barbados

Summary in English

Summary in Dutch

Curriculum Vitae