ART OF THE POSSIBLE
If museums are intent on making a positive contribution in the world, how might they navigate the urgent issues of funding and revenue generation? How will we create sustainable financial platforms? One hundred and fifty years ago, the notions of “the art of the possible” and “Realpolitik” set pragmatism over ideological goals. Revisiting and adapting this idea now, in the context of the world of museums, suggests a strategy for how we might continue to do compelling and important cultural work in financially and politically convulsive times. Let’s call this approach the Art of the Possible—taking a pragmatic approach while maintaining and realizing philosophical ambitions.
The seduction of acquisitions, the potential of exhibition-making, the thrill of capital campaigns, the needs of conservation,
