Temples of Delight

       According to The Economist, museums have entered a new golden age. Museum visits have been on the rise the past few years. The Economist attributes this to the rise in higher education, and that those who have a higher education are more likely to go to museums. Also, there are new museums popping up all over the world, and with various subjects. Museums around the world cover the histories of; Bananas, Bread, Broken Relationships, Bunnies, Dog Collars, toilets and (for Kathleen) Holy Souls in Purgatory.
       What is the most interesting is that there is a change in museums in the way they interact with the public. Many museums now offer activities like sleep overs, discussion and other family events. Some would think that it is a bad idea to simply entertain visitors, but it can be good to entertain your guests. If someone were walking into your home and they were bored wouldn't you want to entertain them? Well, this is the same concept with a museum. When a patron enters your institution you want them to feel welcomed and engaged, not bored and wanting to leave. The more we can do to create an interactive, and yes entertaining environment, the longer museums will survive.
       The Economist calls the new museums Temples of Delight, and that's the kind of image we should be putting out to the public. And isn't that what got us into this business in the first place? We went to a museum and said 'yeah I could do this forever.' Shouldn't we share that enthusiasm with the public and make it clear that we love this stuff and they should too?
       The good news is The Economist sees this rise as lasting a few years so if we can get into the field and keep this momentum going we could witness a new age of museums. An age wear they come out from under the shadow of stuffy old ladies scowling at children and into an age of positive publicity and museums being seen as places of fun and engagement. Besides no one wants to work at a place where they don't have fun every once and while. So, why should we settle for an institution that puts that boring image to the public? If we don't make museums fun for our patrons then they won't come back.

http://www.economist.com/news/special-report/21591707-museums-world-over-are-doing-amazingly-well-says-fiammetta-rocco-can-they-keep