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"Museums in the life of Greeks", Kathimerini

Opinion
17.5.2015
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"Museums in the life of the Greeks", Kathimerini

An interesting article recently published in Kathimerini newspaper on "Museums in the life of the Greeks.". Marlene Mouliou, a lecturer in Museology at the University of Athens, attempts to define the relationship between citizens and the museums through empirical data. A small but representative sample of the research presented at the 10th Scientific Symposium of the University of Athens (Department of Archaeology and History of Art).

The result of research conducted shows that the relationship between the Greeks and the museums is probably not close. Indicative is also the fact that in Greece we do not have quantitative evidence of this relationship, systematically recorded and researched.

The presentation of the data of this research was a reason for some thoughts on the subject of the study and evaluation of public relations with both the physical and the digital space of the museum.

Till today, little research, evaluation and study of visitors / public (in a cultural institution or organisation) is carried out in Greece. On the basis of a planned digital strategy that meets international standards, the cultural organisation may now adopt an internal systematic methodological approach: demographic studies, requirements studies of specific audiences (eg scientists, families, the elderly, tourists, etc. .), evaluation procedures within the museum or digital environment (systemic evaluation reports, activities, programs and services), offer valuable material for improving the social and educational work for the organisation and making important decisions concerning the development of the interest of visitors / users.

Specially designed activities, targeted questionnaires, interviews and discussions (both with the designers and managers as well as with the visitors / users), are just some of the tools that are used to serve the aims of the research or evaluation that will be conducted. In this context, all existing channels / platforms of communication work with and contribute to the public (website, social media, mobile applications, etc.

For both servicing quality parameters and satisfying predetermined measurable targets for the study of visitors, modern approaches require the involvement or direct participation of the operator in the evaluation procedure. The choice and combination of methodological tools depends on the issues raised by the case study.

As often stated in the field of museology, evaluation can help the organisation to understand its audience and establish dialogue with them. Through dialogue, the organisation review or confirm its plans and the way it fulfills its objectives.

Projects like those of a new exhibition, an educational program or mobile platform involve the provision of economic capital and human resources. Therefore it is necessary to be properly researched and planned, with the assistance of all assessment procedures that should be based in strategy.