CALL FOR ARTICLES
PUBLICATION “INCLUSION IN THE BALKAN MUSEUMS: THE COLLECTION OF BEST PRACTICES”
The Balkan Museum Network is preparing a publication titled “Inclusion in the Balkan Museum: the Collection of Best Practices”. The aims of the publication are: (1) to promote inclusive museum practices, especially those that use new technologies, (2) to facilitate networking among colleagues, and (3) to elevate the status of Balkan museums within the European museum landscape.
We invite you to share the information about your inclusive practice and inspire others by sharing your experiences in fostering accessibility within your museums and community.
The new definition of the museum emphasizes the openness of the museum and inclusiveness, where it is stated that the museum is a non-profit, permanent institution at the service of society that researches, collects, conserves, interprets and exhibits tangible and intangible heritage. Open to the public, accessible and inclusive, museums foster diversity and sustainability. They act and communicate ethically, professionally and with community participation, offering diverse experiences for education, enjoyment, reflection and knowledge sharing (ICOM, 2022).
Following contemporary trends and the needs of the social community present us the path of transformation of the museum, present to us the challenges that you have turned into accessible opportunities for everyone. This way, you also show respect basic human rights, because the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Article, 9. 2006:8) defines accessibility as appropriate measures that ensure access to the built environment, transportation, information and communications, including information and communication technologies and systems, as well as other equipment, spaces and services intended for the public, both in urban and rural areas. Hence, accessibility means everything that enables people with disabilities to live independently and participate in all aspects of life, on the same basis as others.
A visit to a museum can be challenging for any person, as it requires physical and mental fitness, while for people with disabilities, a visit to a museum is often additionally characterized by obstacles that can be physical (architectural), but also informational, communicative, sensory and economic.
We believe that your story is a powerful catalyst for change. By contributing your experiences in the form of an article for our upcoming electronic publication, you will not only elevate the profile of your museum but also pave the way for others to embark on similar transformative journeys.
Use the opportunity to showcase your museum as a leader in accessibility and inclusiveness, inspiring your peers and the wider community to embrace and enact change. You choose what aspect of your work you would like to describe (from the perspective of outcomes, process, partnerships and other elements). The language of the publication is only English and translation and proof reading costs are not provided.
The publication “Inclusion in the Balkan Museum: the Collection of Best Practices” will be promoted among partners of European projects in which the Balkan Museum Network is participating. You may also have the opportunity to present your article or case study at an upcoming museum conference with the support of the BMN
We kindly ask you to mark the following dates on your calendar:
April 20, 2024: Submission of your application and an abstract (up to 250 words)
May 10, 2024: Submission of the first version of your article.
June 20, 2024: Submission of the final version of your article.
Let us come together to share our stories of innovation, resilience, and inclusivity. By doing so, we not only enhance the museum experience for all but also contribute to a society where accessibility is not an afterthought but a fundamental aspect of our cultural institutions.
We eagerly await your response and look forward to celebrating your contributions to creating a more accessible and inclusive world.
Please fill in this form by April 20th, 2024: https://forms.gle/QpBuqzadytDNcJ4U7
Members of the Editorial Board of the publication are Anida Manko and Milena Milošević Micić.
Anida Manko, PhD is a senior assistant at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo. In her professional development, she researches and improves topics in the field of inclusive education, museum pedagogy, intercultural education and educational policies. She is particularly interested in creating an accessible educational environment in museums. She participated in many international scientific and professional conferences and is the author of numerous scientific articles and publications in the field of pedagogy, special pedagogy, museum pedagogy and intercultural education. Anida was editor of the Balkan Museum Network publication “Examples of inclusive museum practices in Bosnia and Herzegovina”.
Milena Milošević Micić, M.A. art historian, museum advisor at the Homeland Museum of Knjaževac. For more than 20 years she’s been a dedicated activist, curator, educator, PR, project manager, and museum director in two mandates aiming to develop a new role of the museum in the local community. She believes that museums are public spaces open for everyone, forums for open dialogues or debates, and places of unique values of common heritage. Fields of expertise: art history, museum studies, collection management, access and inclusion, marketing in culture, cultural and educational tourism… She is a licensed heritage interpreter and was awarded by NC ICOM Serbia as the best museum professional in 2021. Membership: ICOM, SMА, BMN, BMAG, AAM, AAMC, IE. Milena was editor of the publication “Accessible Balkan Museums”
To get an overview of the requirements for the submission of the article, please see more detailed instructions for the article submission.
If you have any questions please write to: sadikovic.anida@gmail.com and to info@bmuseums.net
This activity is part of the SHIFT project (MetamorphoSis of cultural Heritage Into augmented hypermedia assets For enhanced accessibiliTy and inclusion) funded by the European Union Horizon Europe program.
More about SHIFT project on: https://shift-europe.eu/
