ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the effect of stakeholders upon redisplay projects, that is, whether museum teams are pandering to the demands of stakeholders and whether stakeholder demands are dissimilar to those of the museum. Many museum professionals agree that everyone is a stakeholder in the redevelopment project. On top of local and regional government-controlled contributions, museum visitors are encouraged to contribute directly to fundraising initiatives. Museums are shifting from institutions that were answerable only to themselves to institutions that acknowledge they are publicly owned, funded and consumed. Museum teams should carefully consider the funding organisations' motivations and whether they impact politically, economically, ethically and/or religiously on gallery messages. Museums should not 'bend the rules' for economic gain or include overt political stances within galleries. Museum decision-makers need to realise that not all stakeholders have the needs of the museum, or its audiences, at heart and that they may cause a conflict of interest.
