Dr Richard Benjamin, Head of International Slavery Museum
What made you want to work in museums?
As an avid museum visitor, both as a member of the public and research student, museums have always fascinated me and been a crucial resource. These days, I cannot think of anything more satisfying than working alongside often wonderful, extraordinary, rare, thought provoking objects and collections. It may sound clichéd but I truly feel fortunate to work in such an environment.
How are museums changing?
Some still believe museums are just about objects. Some that education is best left to schools. But even though most in the profession know that what we do is valued those who hold the purse strings might not be so clear. As a result those who have a rather antiquated view of the sector need to change. Politicians in particular expect museums to be multifaceted and multifunctional. And I tend to agree that they should be.
Should museums be ‘neutral spaces’?
First of all, museum professionals cannot be totally objective in deciding what happens in museum spaces. As such museums need to stop assuming that neutrality should, or even could, be achieved. Museums are indeed guardians of the past but also they have the responsibility of making that past accessible and, in my view, using the interpretation of the past in a socially responsible way. I believe we should be a campaigning museum, actively supporting contemporary campaigns and initiatives.
Are you optimistic for the future of the sector?
Museums financially have an uncertain future. One direct consequence of this is that there will have to be clear choices made by museums on whether or not they pursue with such vitality a social agenda with accompanying educational and community related projects. A museum with a strong social conscience, like us, will have to carefully plan its activities depending on future funding. That’s a shame but we should not be surprised if it happens. Museums have a very influential future but the sector needs to be prepared to fight its corner!
