Developing Capacity Building. Reflections on experiences in Chicago’s Field Museum

This article explores one aspect of the debate concerning the role of museums in contemporary society. From dusty storage facilities for ancient artifacts that are considered important by a handful of scholars, museums have become “social agents” (Janes, 2009), able not only to assume social responsibility (Janes and Conaty 2005), but to trigger changes by developing capacity building (Anderson, 2011). This idea is an evolution and an active expression of the school of thought known as “New Museology” that emerged between the 1960s and 1970s; new museology focussed on how museums might assist disadvantaged communities and boost processes of societal, cultural and environmental transformation (Davis, 2008). In order to discuss how museums are changing their role in the contemporary society and are tackling new challenges an analysis of the Cultural Connection Program (CCP) implemented in 1998 by The Field Museum (Chicago) and the Chicago Cultural Alliance (CCA) consortium is presented