Distinguished Lectures in Humanities: What are Museums for?

Abstract

What are museums for? Trophy cases for imperial booty, storehouses for exotica, sanctuaries for quiet delectation, monuments to beauty—museums first found their place in the political and financial capitals of the West because they offered aesthetic experiences that institutionalized and symbolized the acquisitive dynamics of the day, especially those driven by nationalism, imperialism, secularization, industrialization, and capitalism.

Acknowledging the polycentric world shaped by Asia’s cultural and economic influence, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art envisions a future grounded in shared partnerships and the democratization of cultural knowledge. Reflecting on the museum’s history and its evolving role, ROBINSON will emphasize its commitment to self-criticism, transparency, and rethinking traditional museum practices. Key themes include the museum’s expanded international partnerships and its approach to the preservation of cultural heritage, provenance research, and object histories.

About the speaker

Chase F. ROBINSON has been director of the National Museum of Asian Art since December 2018. During his tenure, the museum has launched initiatives that have significantly increased the number of visitors on-site and online, expanded the collections by over 5,400 works, built out its network of community-based and international partnerships, established itself at the forefront of provenance research, and nearly doubled the size of its board of trustees. The museum celebrated its centennial in May 2023, inaugurating its first celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month attended by more than 40,000 people.

A highly regarded scholar of Islamic history and culture, ROBINSON previously served as provost (2008–2013) and president (2013–2018) of the Graduate Center, the research campus of the City University of New York. From 1993 to 2008, ROBINSON was professor of early Islamic history in the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (previously the Faculty of Oriental Studies) at the University of Oxford. He chaired its faculty board from 2003 to 2005. He received his doctorate from Harvard University's Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations.