Developing the Practitioner-Researcher Within the Art Museum

Abstract

This paper sets out to explore how research functions in the art museum, and whether our understanding of research and the researcher needs to change in light of how museums are expected to operate in the twenty-first century. Recognising the need for museums to be open, democratic and discursive spaces, the paper seeks to outline an active role for practice-led research within the gallery, while identifying the value of constructing the museum professional as a practitioner-researcher.