Museums and Societal Collapse: The Museum as Lifeboat

Museums and Societal Collapse explores the implications of societal collapse from a multidisciplinary perspective and considers the potential museums have to contribute to the reimagining and transitioning of a new society in the face of collapse.

Arguing that societal collapse is well underway, but that total collapse is not inevitable, Janes maintains that museums are well-positioned to mitigate and adapt to the disruptions of societal collapse. As institutions of the commons, belonging to and affecting the public at large, he contends that museums are both responsible and capable of contributing to the durability and wellbeing of their institutions and communities, and enhancing societal resilience in the face of critical issues confronting our species. Within the pages of this groundbreaking book, Janes demonstrates how museums and their staff, as key civic resources with ethical responsibilities, can examine the meaning and value of their work, how that work is organised and managed, and to what end. This is a call to action, demonstrating how museums can move the conversation about collapse and extinction forward and into society at large.

Museums and Societal Collapse will be of great interest to academics and students of Museum and Heritage Studies, Gallery Studies, Heritage Management and Arts Management. It will also be of essential reading for museum professionals working in museums, galleries and cultural organisations around the world.