What role do museums play in the climate crisis? And how can museums help bring about change? Now, this toolkit is available to serve as a resource for navigating complex issues related to the environment and sustainability in museum operations.
The toolkit contains various tools drawn from climate psychology and environmental communication. It is intended for use in museums’ work with programs, communication, and exhibitions. With the help of the toolkit, you can position, refine, and reflect on the museum’s activities in relation to the environmental crisis. The focus is on museums’ unique ability to address existential questions.
“At the center is what we call the compass,” explains Hanna Bergeå. “The compass is intended to help us reflect on the desired course of our work by raising awareness of key parameters for sustainability in public museum work.” “There are no right answers, but by checking our plans against this compass, we can make informed decisions and ensure that we’re heading in the right direction,” she continues.
Development of the tool
The toolbox is the result of the workshop series “Museums and the Climate Crisis,” held in 2022 as part of Mistra Environmental Communication in collaboration with Moderna Museet. Many museums across the country, as well as climate psychologist Kata Nylén and philosopher Jonna Bornemark, participated in the workshop series.
The compass is available as a separate, physical product. Contact Hanna Bergeå if you would like a copy.
Team
Hanna Bergeå at Mistra Environmental Communication, together with Ylva Hillström from Moderna Museet and Svante Helmbaek Tirén, curator and writer, developed the tool. The design was created by Brita Lindvall Leitmann and Mariana Alves Silva.
