Special Session

Cultural Studies / Visual and Spatial Studies

Evan Krikorian (Getty Research Institute)
evan@****.com (Log-in to reveal)

This session invites submissions that explore the evolving roles of museums, archives, and collections in preserving, interpreting, and disseminating knowledge. We seek papers that examine the social, cultural, and technological dimensions of these institutions, addressing how they engage with communities, confront histories, and navigate ethical responsibilities. Contributions may consider innovative curatorial practices, digitization and access strategies, collection management, audience engagement, or critical reflections on the politics of preservation and representation.

Museums, archives, and collections serve as vital repositories of human experience, memory, and creativity, yet their functions and significance are continually reshaped by societal, technological, and cultural shifts. This session explores the multifaceted roles these institutions play in documenting, preserving, and interpreting diverse histories and knowledge systems. We welcome papers that examine traditional and emerging practices, including curatorial approaches, cataloging and conservation, archival theory, digital humanities initiatives, and public engagement strategies.

We are particularly interested in contributions that address questions of accessibility, inclusivity, and representation regarding how museums and archives confront challenging histories, amplify marginalized voices, or reimagine collections through decolonial or collaborative frameworks, especially in response to current world affairs. The session also invites reflections on the impact of technology on collection management, from digitization and AI-assisted curation to virtual exhibits and open-access archives.

Submissions that invoke the conference theme of "Our Ruling Classes: Culture, Power, Conflict" are not mandatory but strongly encouraged.