ABSTRACT
The applicability of the “Third Place” concept to museums is considered relative to moving visitors from the position of users to that of stakeholders in a cultural institution. In this move, experiences are an integral part of the creation of Third Places. Stories are produced and arranged within the museum context that have varying external effects, a consequence that this paper argues can and should be integrated into the creation of Third Places as not only co-creative moments in time, but also landmarks. In this capacity, the distinctions between volunteer, visitor, participant and stakeholder become less clear. Through a diverse set of case studies, ranging from contemporary art centers to heritage museums, this article assesses the multiple roles of these institutions as social, civic, and participatory venues. Pragmatically, as museum staff sizes either stagnate or shrink, developing venues as expanded Third Places where visitors become more active as fully engaged and participatory stakeholders is an important step in long-term institutional sustainability.
