March 22-April 2, 2019

Social Responsibility of the Art Museums

Aware of the educational potential of the art collections and the changing needs of society, in the past six months the National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina carried out first museum outreach program in Bosnia and Herzegovina for school children with autism spectrum disorder. This program is a result of systematic educational-museum work with children, experience and gained knowledge of the museum pedagogy. The program was financially supported by Open Society Fund Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In the context of democratization of museums and tendency towards diversification of the audience, contemporary museology questions the accessibility of museum collections and program activities. In this case, the National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina had to revise and adapt its interpretive and exhibition methods. During the implementation of the program, specific educational methods were considered in the context of art museums that are suitable for the mentioned group. In special pedagogy, the use of visual materials proved to be a successful cognitive stimulus for children with autism spectrum disorder. With regard to the research carried out, which proves the educational potential, the art museum is transformed by this project into an alternative educational institution for lifelong learning.

The exhibition contexts in which the educational works were held included the permanent exhibition Intimacies of Space and exhibitions Collection in the Collection: Mirko Komosar and Aranea, also the selected works of Branko Šotra, selected sculptures from the collection and posters of the XIV Olympic Games in Sarajevo from the archive of the National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As a response to the works of art from the National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina collection, the participants expressed themselves through the art.

The exhibition Blue Artism presents works of art by participants of the program, which were created during the last six months. The exhibition is followed by the didactic materials created for this program and the documentary material, which presents the work process of the Blue Artism educational and artistic workshops.