Cities, Museums and Soft Power
"Soft power" emerged as a concept in the late twentieth century to describe international relations based not on military or economic strength, but on influence. While the resources of "hard power" are tangible – force and finance – soft power resources include ideas, knowledge, values, and culture, as well as the ability to persuade. This volume discusses soft power from the vantage point of museums and demonstrates how they are quietly changing the world. With contributions by thirteen experts from ten countries, "Cities, Museums and Soft Power" reveals the world's 80,000 museums to be sleeping giants. Two major characteristics of soft power – the rise of cities and the role of civil society – are pushing museums from the margins toward the center as these institutions serve as education hubs, employers, magnets for creative industries, and engines of economic development. Meanwhile, the growth of technological networks and connectivity has enabled this soft power to spread even farther and deeper across the Internet and groups of people. Whether cozy and local or internationally renowned, museums possess a cultural strength that extends far beyond their walls.
Contents:
Acknowledgements
Preface – Richard Florida
1. Introduction: Why Cities, Museums and Soft Power – Gail Dexter Lord and Ngaire Blankenberg
2. The Economics of Museums and Cities – Javier Jimenez
3. Museums in Public Diplomacy – Federica Olivares
4. London's Knowledge Quarter: The Soft Power of Museums in the Knowledge of Economy and Urban Development – Baillie Card
5. Museums in the Age of Brazilian Soft Power – Gege Leme Joseph
6. Museums as Signifiers in the Gulf – Hayfa Matar
7. When Soft Powers Collide – Ngaire Blankenberg
8. Unearthing the Genius Loci of Museums in the Indian Subcontinent – Batul Raaj Mehta
9. Cultural Nomads: Creative People on the Road – Robert Punkenhofer
10. Cranking up the Soft Power Engine of Chinese Museums – An Laishun, Ph. D.
11. A Tale of Two Civil and Human Rights Cities – Gail Dexter Lord and Joy Bailey Bryant
12. Cairo and Its Museums: From Multiculturalism to Leadership in Sustainable Development – Mohamed Gamal Rashed
13. Global and Local: Fairs and Biennials, Temporary Urbanism and Pop-Up Museums – Lourdes Fernandez (translation: Marina Ramierz)
14. The Museum Building Boom – Guido Guerzoni
15. Thirty-Two Ways for Museums to Activate their Soft Power – Ngaire Blankenberg and Gail Dexter Lord
Authors
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
Gail Dexter Lord is cofounder and co-president of Lord Cultural Resources.
Ngaire Blankenberg is a principal consultant at Lord Cultural Resources.
Reviews
"'Cities, Museums and Soft Power' is a must-read for museum leaders who grapple with their institution's role in building cultural infrastructure locally or globally. Readable, instructive, and compelling, this book builds the case for museums as strong society-minded networks that can deftly employ soft power to accelerate cultural change and empower citizens at home or around the world" – Melody Kanschat, executive director, Getty Leadership Institute
"In this important and timely book, Gail Dexter Lord and Ngaire Blankenberg have brought together an innovative array of essays that not only answer the perennial question of why museums matter, but also suggest a blueprint for how museums can exercise more influence and be of greater value to their urban communities. This is a must-read for those who care about culture, museums, and the evolution of our communities in the century" – Lonnie G. Bunch, founding director, Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture; author, "Call The Lost Dream Back: Essays on History, Race and Museums"
"The authors build a compelling argument as they explore what's next for cities, museums, and soft power, framing the international conversation about the future in fresh and provocative ways. A fascinating book" – James Richardson, founder, MuseumNext, London
"'Cities, Museums and Soft Power' provides a fascinating and multifaceted analysis of a theme that is intrinsically linked to UNESCO's convictions on the influential role of culture and creativity in promoting social inclusion, understanding, and economic growth. Through its thought-provoking and informative essays, the book provides insight into the transformation of museums landscapes in all regions, against the backdrop of rapid urbanization, competition for tourists, talent, and influence. This book should be required reading for anyone interested in culture, creative cities, and the creative economy" – Irina Bokova, Director-General, UNESCO
