Folklife and Museums

Folklorists have been pioneers in museums for over half a century, moving the field toward more richly collaborative work, closer engagement with communities, and radically inclusive practices. This volume explores, from multiple angles, the significant and under-appreciated relationship between folklife and museums. -- William S. Walker, Associate Professor of History, Cooperstown Graduate Program, SUNY Oneonta
Folklife and Museums: Twenty-First Century Perspectives is for everyone—regardless of discipline—who is in any way responsible, or is seeking to  become responsible, for content, interpretation, programming, and community engagement in any museum dealing in any way with culture. An impressive array of experts explore how the field of folklore, the role of museums, changing technology, and the expectations of people and communities today intersect both to demand and to provide new approaches to advancing knowledge and understanding of human activity and relationships. The result is a fresh look and a must read.  -- G. Rollie Adams, President and CEO Emeritus, Strong Museum
Bridging theory and practice, this collection continues the fruitful dialogue between folkloristics and museology with important thought-pieces and case studies.  As the relationship between museums and their publics is being redefined, these essays remind us that folklore’s commitment to ethnographic practice, participatory ethos, and community voices continues to complicate and enrich to all aspects of museum practice.   -- Michael Atwood Mason, Director, Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage