An interesting article about the NYC Opera this morning on the USA Today site. The new 
director of the Opera seems to get the fact that catering the Opera to the publics 
interests, and not just that of his current patrons will make accessible something that has 
for a long time been regarded as entertainment for the eliete. 

I see interesting parallels within the museum world in the problems that he's addressing.

As museums have often removed themselves from the general public in order to hold 
themselves more in line with acadamia, and high-art, rather than a source of cultural 
entertainment. (generalizing)

I'm not looking to start a flame war - quite the opposite. Anyone have any ideas on what 
sort of strategy they think might work for moving a museum more into this light? Where 
the museum doesn't become the next theme park, or more simply, to make a museum 
feel like a place they 'want' to be in. More like a home than a school?

As our culture shifts back towards being an Oral society, and not a Literate scociety the 
culture of learning, and interaction is going to take a huge leap away from the 'studious' 
museums, and more towards an 'experience.' Something that gives them fuel for 
communication. The days of looking things up in encyclopedias, are to be replaced by 
google searches and Wikipedia. What parallels can be drawn in the museum?

here's the link.
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2006-10-05-metropolitan-opera_x.htm

Always poking the fire! :)

Micah

Micah Zender
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