Open AccessWhat’s in a museum name? A study of name changes among Danish museums
Author(s) -
Line Schmeltz,
Anna Karina Kjeldsen
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
nordisk museologi
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2002-0503
pISSN - 1103-8152
DOI - 10.5617/nm.4405
Subject(s) - optimal distinctiveness theory , danish , ideology , perspective (graphical) , field (mathematics) , onomastics , politics , balance (ability) , sociology , history , media studies , political science , art , visual arts , law , linguistics , archaeology , psychology , social psychology , philosophy , mathematics , neuroscience , pure mathematics
In recent years, Danish museums have experienced ideological, political and structural changes. Simultaneously, a wave of name changes has swept over the field. From a branding perspective, the change and choice of new name can be understood as an attempt to stand out from the group of museums. Conversely, from an institutional perspective, the name change can be perceived as a way to claim membership of the transformed museum landscape. This paper presents a study of ten public museums that have all recently changed their names. Findings suggest that name change is employed as a means to claim category, territory but also distinctiveness. Further, the study reveals different practices regarding the use of the term “museum”, with practical implications for a museum name change as a way to communicate a balance between fitting in and standing out.