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Museum Management and Curatorship. Volume 20, No.2, June, 2005

In the course of reviewing the history and content of Museum Management and Curatorship, I have been studying the editorials of my predecessor, Peter CannonBrookes. I note that in the inaugural issue of March, 1982, he lamented ‘that too many museum directors have been seduced by the bright lights and glamour of show-biz’, at the expense of core activities. Dr. Cannon-Brookes also referred to the treadmill of temporary exhibitions, and the ‘well-nigh impossibility of achieving an acceptable balance between core functions and secondary activities’. These editorials are useful for a new Editor-in-Chief, and I am grateful to have them as a point of reference for overseeing the content and quality of this relaunched Journal. Clearly, there are no magic formulae or ready solutions for these deeply rooted issues, despite recent attempts to the contrary. I am thinking particularly of the recent interest in architecture as attraction, surprisingly grounded in the fragile assumption that ‘build it and they will come’. In numerous instances, these building initiatives unfold at the expense of a sober look at organizational values, mission and competence, including the role of the museum in the community as a creator of enduring meaning. I am also reminded of the belief, perhaps most pervasive among governing authorities, that attendance is the best measure of worth. This is a simplistic solution which overlooks the importance of reputation, name recognition and the trust of visitors. In short, large numbers do not necessarily mean quality. There is no need to lament either the search for simple solutions, or the persistent lack of them, however, when one considers the contents of this issue. The reader will be heartened by the thoughtful and probing examination of both contemporary and enduring concerns which marks this particular issue. Peter Welsh, for example, explores the territory between theory and practice in the museum field, and how they influence each other. All those engaged in any aspect of museum practice will learn from this substantive inquiry. Barbara Soren offers an analysis of virtual exhibitions, documenting and evaluating best practices in the development of these projects. No contemporary museum or gallery can afford to ignore this opportunity to learn from her work. The World of Museums features a unique offering, unwittingly disguised as a report on a South African World Heritage Site. In fact, authors Phaswana-Mafuya and Haydam Museum Management and Curatorship 20 (2005) 101–102 www.elsevier.com/locate/musmancur