Museology and Research – the present situation in a Norwegian perspective

Authors

  • John Aage Gjestrum

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5617/nm.3716

Abstract

In 1993 the Norwegian Museums Association celebrated its 75th anniversary with a conference attended by numerous museum professionals from allparts of Norway. The role of museology was one of the issues covered by the conference. As an introduction I want to quote two statements given by speakers at this conference:

«If the proposal to introduce a Norwegian museum training programme should continue to require time and resources - seminars, reports, projects etc. - it certainly represents a deadlock and it leads us astray. The personnel with responsible scientific positions in Norwegian museums have an adequate training both when it comes to disciplinary diversity and depth.» (Niemi 1994:27) 

«I want to state, here and now, that museology offers training for a practical job. It is a misunderstanding to believe that it should be possible to be a 'museologist: one who studies museums in the abstract without having a basis and anchorage in the real disciplines which are the genuine roots of the museums, the reason for their existence. It is unrealistic, thoughtless and naive.» (Hohler 1994:42) 

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