Issues from Workshop 1 - possible things to take forward

Questions of terminology / definitions - intrinsic / extrinsic (instrumental) / core activities - different perspectives from different areas - taxonomy has taken on different meanings depending on context - used in different ways to make particular arguments.

Value of intrinsic / extrinsic - use in conceptualising impact - studies using sociological theory (not used - ideas fit into a broad consumption framework / policy analysis (accepted definitions from the literature - but uncertainty acknowledged) / policy construction / practitioner - terms have become loaded - elite (intrinsic - absolute), democratic (extrinsic - depends on power relationships) - but value seen in structures / theories to assist in understanding impact - core activities? It would be useful to identify core principles. The quality v access debate - is quality absolute or relational?
Balance between endogenous / exogenous forces driving policy. The context allows one or the other to dominate - fluid situation? What are the consequences of this? Is it possible to influence this process? Response to intellectual and political uncertainty. Ruth’s paper gave an excellent background to some of these issues. Loss of control of agenda by museum professionals.

Models / theories

Citizenship / rights based approach to conceptualising value / impact - consequences - what would this look like? Ideal of universal access? How would this marry up with the apparent requirement to measure impact? Does this end up being too aspirational - or does it matter? T. H. Marshall’s civil, political and social rights - including the right of access to culture. Active Citizenship - what role do museums and galleries play? Do models have to be based upon empirical evidence? Do we need two complimentary approaches - one a set of beliefs and a second based upon what can be demonstrated?
Ideas of human value? Empathy? Human rights? Redefine purpose - human capabilities - rich understanding of what it means to be a human being. Is the language available - could be turned into a measurement model? Universalism.
Benefits / problems of using frameworks / wider use / how do we introduce inequality of opportunity - structure (limits to action) and agency (how much choice do people in reality have). How do we deal with this? Models are context specific - need to be constantly revised. How far can models / theories be used / planning / democratic access / accountability / readjusted to take people into account? Existing approach constricts organisations - mapping activities to policy headings under an alien framework. Some museums can articulate what they are doing - what about the others? - Greater good - credibility for whole sector. Making sense out of chaos - commodification. Models provide a language to conceptualise impact / dialogue with audiences? Need to start with clear ideas about what is possible. Evaluation - is measurement possible? Public health models perhaps. Local agendas - set of principles - defined locally - how might this work?