Negotiating the Tensions of the Participatory Turn

The present thesis contributes to the growing discourse of participatory practices within museum studies by providing the practical and experienced-based perspective of museum professionals. Through eight semi-structured interviews with staff from four different urban museums in the Netherlands, it offers a nuanced and context-specific understanding of these practices' implementation, ultimately seeking to shed light on their complex and often challenging navigation. Informed by a broad body of scholarship, ranging from studies that highlight the potential of participatory practices to democratise museums to critical perspectives that question the institution's ability to truly become inclusive, this research arrived at several key findings. Firstly, the thematic analysis of the interviews revealed that participatory practices are understood and enacted in diverse ways within museums, often shaped by individual ethics and professional roles, suggesting that participation is not a fixed concept, but a fluid and negotiated process. In addition, three institutional shifts were brought to light, each signaling a participatory turn: museums reaching out to communities rather than waiting to be reached; professionals adopting a more listening-oriented approach towards participants/partners; and the emergence of new roles and responsibilities specifically designed to support museum's evolving social function and engagement with local communities. At the same time, the study showed that the implementation of these practices is significantly hindered by institutional challenges, including internal struggles, difficulties building lasting community partnerships and the subtle persistence of museum-centric mindsets. Lastly, a key insight that emerged was the need for a peer network among practitioners engaged in this institutional transformation, which could function as a supportive space for fostering mutual learning and sharing experiences.