New Publication: Museums Trendswatch 2016

The Center for the Future of Museums (CFM) of the American Alliance of Museums has recently published Trendswatch 2016, its annual forecasting report. Written by Elizabeth E. Merritt, each edition of the report summarises emerging trends identified through CFM's research, investigates what this means for society and museums, shares examples of how museums engage with each trend and suggest how museums might further respond. Topics addressed by Trendswatch 2016 are as follows:

• Labor 3.0: new jobs, or a jobless future?
• More Than Human: extending the spectrum of ability
• Me/We/Here/There: museums and the matrix of place-based augmented devices
• Capture the Flag: the struggle over representation and identity
• Happiness: because you get what you measure

In the view of Elizabeth E. Merritt, the recurring theme of the different topics addressed is identity. In addition to an analysis of each of the topics addressed and their implications for society, the report contains a set of examples of museums addressing that aspect in different parts of the world. The CFM operates as a think-tank and R&D lab for fostering creativity and helping museums transcend traditional boundaries. The centre invites museum professionals to share copies of Trendswatch 2016 with fellow professionals, members of museums' governing authorities, local foundations, donors, policymakers, the press and other relevant stakeholders, and to seek opportunities for discussing the issues raised by the publication. Trendswatch 2016 is available for download at http://www.aam-us.org/resources/center-for-the-future-of-museums/projects-and-reports/trendswatch/trendswatch2016