Jensen, Eric (2013) Reconsidering "the love of art" : evaluating the potential of art museum outreach. Visitor Studies, Volume 16 (Number 2). pp. 144-159. doi:10.1080/10645578.2013.827010 ISSN 1064-5578.

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Abstract

Art museums have long been identified as bastions of social and cultural exclusion. This conclusion was best evidenced by the large-scale 1967 French study by Bourdieu and Darbel demonstrating the exclusionary nature of “The Love of Art.” However, in recent years there have been increasing efforts to reach out to a broader range of visitors beyond conventional
audiences. The present study investigates the impacts of an outreach program at a UK art museum, which sought to engage socially excluded young mothers. This study employs ethnographic research methods on a longitudinal basis to develop qualitative insights about the program seeking to mitigate cultural exclusion. While the study’s findings uphold many longstanding critiques of art museums’ conventional approaches, the study also indicates that carefully designed outreach activities can overcome such limitations and enhance cultural
engagement. Thus, art museums’ limited appeal is tied to problematic public engagement practices that can be changed.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Alternative Title:	Re-considering ‘the love of art’ : investigating the impacts of art museum outreach
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races N Fine Arts > ND Painting
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Sociology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Museum visitors, Art museum visitors, Museum outreach programs, Museum visitors -- Services for, Marginality, Social
Journal or Publication Title:	Visitor Studies
Publisher:	Routledge
ISSN:	1064-5578
Official Date:	2013
Dates:	Date Event 2013 Published
Volume:	Volume 16
Number:	Number 2
Page Range:	pp. 144-159
DOI:	10.1080/10645578.2013.827010
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Date of first compliant deposit:	25 December 2015
Date of first compliant Open Access:	25 December 2015
Funder:	Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (Great Britain), Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)

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