ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on policy, advocacy and new identities needed for museum educators interested in positioning themselves differently within the museum profession. It provides the journal by examining the dysfunctional relationships between museums and schools as symptomatic of the marginalization of museums and explores museum educators to lead change. The book discusses the museum educator’s role in advocating for the importance of museums as centers for lifelong learning, an increasingly important area given the declining state of public education in the United States. It provides a straight-line approach to budget cutting which actually runs counter to the latest literature on educational best practices in increasing the value of public institutions. The book explores the ways in which the Rubin Museum of Art transformed the Education Department to incorporate a larger administrative role within the museum.
