민속마을형 박물관 공동체의 지속을 위한 학예사의 역할 - 한국민속촌 박물관 사례를 중심으로 -

Abstract

This article aims to examine the roles and qualifications of curators in sustaining communities within folk village-type museums. A folk village-type museum is a form of open-air museum characterized by the reconstruction of traditional village spaces where unique local communities continue to exist. These communities are largely composed of elderly residents and generally accept new members from outside regions. However, unlike simple residential clusters, they possess distinct cultural systems rooted in traditional village life. Curators serve as supporters, researchers, and active members of the museum community, playing a vital role in its continuity. To sustain open-air museum communities, curators must define research areas that align with the cultural backgrounds of the spaces and their inhabitants. They are also responsible for conveying the outcomes of their research to both the community and the physical space with an inclusive and empathetic perspective. To fulfill this role effectively, curators in folk village-type museums need to undergo psychological training to foster proactive engagement and cultivate the competencies of lifelong educators, ensuring their capacity to contribute meaningfully to the sustainability of the community.