MUSEUM AS AN INSTITUTION OF SOCIAL INCLUSION

Text topic: Studies

Text author: Дејан Ђорђић и Јована Милутиновић

In contemporary society, the museum is being increasingly focused on new roles and it is no longer oriented only to the traditional ones such as grouping, preserving and exhibiting collections. Having that in mind, the aim of this paper is to understand the possibilities of the museum in the area of social engagement, and to consider the potential of the museum as a socially inclusive institution. The paper discusses the concepts of social exclusion and social inclusion, and analyses the possibilities for the museum in the realization of equality, diversity, social justice and human rights. It is ascertained that education represents a central activity of the social inclusion process in a museum. Serbian museums perceive with increasing understanding their function in the society. However, the perception that museums are institutions intended only for cultural elites still seems to be widespread. Following world trends, museums in Serbia should perceive their potential in the areas of social engagement, social inclusion and education, and should try to connect both with the society and the public.