Diversity as a matter of reality or a perception at the museum: samples of approaches and practices through research and analysis

ABSTRACTThis study discusses diversity within the context of museums in Turkey. In this sense, the exhibitions, activities, and performances, including diversity within the functions of the museum studies, and the attitudes of museum professionals towards the term ‘diversity’ are researched and discussed. The study includes qualitative and quantitative research methods and is applied with two study groups, including museum professionals working at state and private museums. To determine the attitudes of museum professionals, a questionnaire was developed and administered to 161 museum professionals in 2015, and results were monitored in 2022 by the researchers. The responses have shown that the museum professionals have constructive views and ideas about the necessity of applying cultural diversity in museums despite several obstacles, and they shared samples of best practices through accessibility, diversity, and sustainability concerns.KEYWORDS: Diversitymuseologyparticipationinclusivityarcheology museumeducation Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationNotes on contributorsCeren GünerözCeren Güneröz is Associate Professor at Ankara University Faculty of Fine Arts Department of Museology. Her research interests are museology, museum education and arts education. She graduated from Ankara University Graduate School of Educational Sciences Department of Fine Arts Education. She also finished her Master of the Arts Education at the same university in museum Education department. She made various researches in Goldsmiths University at London Labour museology and Cultural studies. She attended scholarship and volunteer programmes at Miami Children's Museum (Florida – USA), Moving Images Museum (Dubai – United Arabian Emirates), Frankfurt Children's Museum and Klick Children's Museum (Germany).Ayşem YanarAyşem Yanar is Associate Professor at Ankara University Faculty of Fine Arts Department of Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Properties. Her research interests are museology, restoration and conservation and Cultural heritage. She graduated from Ankara University Garaduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences Department of Home Economics. She also finished her Master of the Arts Education in museology. She made various researches in Azerbaijan Carpet Museum.