The evaluations of ecomuseum success: implications of international frameworks for assessment of Chinese ecomuseums

Abstract

The ecomuseum is a new form of open-air museum envisaged, built, and managed by the authority and agency of local communities. In particular it refers to a new idea of holistically interpreting cultural heritage for a sustainable development which originated in France in the 1970s. Ecomuseums are now widely established around the world. In China, ecomuseums have been constructed in a number of villages of ethnic minorities to help conserve minority culture and assist their future development. This paper starts with an overview of the current situation, highlights the problems and reveals a clear need to evaluate the success of these museums. A checklist of indicators will be extracted from relevant definitions, the history of ecomuseums and the international literature on their evaluation. As a result, it is suggested that Chinese ecomuseums should be evaluated in the following terms: 1) The participation, empowerment and involvement of local community; 2) The conservation, preservation and interpretation of heritage resources; 3) The strategies and governance for local sustainable development.