Museums and Design for Creative Lives questions what we sacrifice when we allow economic imperatives to shape public museums, whilst also considering the implications of these new museum realities. It also asks: how might we instead design for creative lives?
"For anyone who believes that museums have the potential to act as powerful agents for social change, Museums and Design for Creative Lives is a must-read. MacLeod applies a theoretical framework of social space to current museum practice that not only identifies unchallenged assumptions about goals, standards, and processes in museums, but also articulates essential qualities and values inherent in what she calls "progressive museum design." The theory comes to life in the second part of the book, which explores the many visions, intentions, and design practices in 28 museum case studies of progressive museum design from around the world. Most importantly, MacLeod summarizes with six frames of mind or calls to action that provide us with concrete, provocative, and energizing ways forward." - Kathleen McLean, USA