Post-neutrality in libraries, archives and museums - Additional grant

Libraries, archives, and museums (LAMs) in Denmark and the Western world are undergoing a notable transformation from alleged neutral cultural institutions to actively addressing societal issues, a phenomenon this project terms "post-neutrality". We analyze the ongoing transformation from various perspectives, to create a conceptual framework for more productive discussions on cultural institutions. The research explores practices and legitimacy in LAMs, considering their relationships with the public and stakeholders. This project contributes to a nuanced understanding of emerging institutional shifts and legitimacy concerns. It aims to pioneer a conceptual framework integrating critical theories, public administration research, and cultural policy research to comprehensively understand the evolving role of cultural institutions, positing that they are transitioning from static roles to dynamic actors embracing responsibility.