ABSTRACT
It is relatively easy to challenge museum traditions and current practices, but rather difficult to suggest viable and useful ways forward. The pessimism of the thought can easily be allowed to blot out the optimism of the action. In this, it is crucially important that stock is taken of how far museums have come and that both realism and idealism are carefully balanced in the planning of their future. While no one can deny that efficient and competent work practices are essential, it also has to be remembered that nothing worthwhile has ever really been gained in museums without belief and at least a little imagination.
