Understanding community engagement in Bicol museums

Abstract

Discourse on the inclusion and participation of “communities” and “community engagement” in museums has signalled a growing shift toward community-oriented museum practice. This study seeks to understand how four museums in the Bicol Region of the Philippines understand and practice community engagement. It also explores how local residents perceive the role of museums. It draws on interviews with museum professionals and focus groups with local residents.

Findings show that the museums frame community engagement as a form of outreach, through a variety of top-down practices ranging from educational programmes to identity building. More participatory approaches, such as collaboration, consultation, and co-creation, are not yet widely adopted in this region. From the locals’ perspective, museums are valued for education and heritage preservation, but there is a desire for them to take stronger stances against issues such as historical revisionism.

The study provides insights into the challenges faced by museums in the region and highlights the need for a clearer understanding of “community”, stronger institutional support, and more participatory engagement models in the Philippine museum sector that actively involve and attract both existing and potential visitors.