COMMUNITY MUSEUMS: AN INTEGRATIVE MANAGEMENT MODEL

Abstract

This study is aimed at identifying the difficulties in designing an appropriatemodel for the management of 4 local-community museums of ancient ceramic kiln sites (known as Ban Tao Hai Jae-Liang) in Nan province.

Preliminary research indicates the existing management activities of the studied museums are disjointed, thus creating many problems with regard to the conservation of archaeological site and the maintenance of these museums.

The appropriate management model to overcome such difficulties is an Integrative Management Model. Following the Integrative Management Model, all 4 museums should operate their activities interdependently based on local wisdom and cooperation with various external organizations, including:

1. A political dimension; to cooperate with the Suak Sub-District Administration which supervises the Heun Ban Suak Saen Cheun Museum.

2. A mythical & belief dimension; local communities should create and construct a spirit shrine to honor the ancient potters and protective spirits arranging regular worshiping ceremonies.

3. An economic dimension; to highlight all 4 museums as archaeological preservation sites-create a common identity and process all museum-based business.

4. A tourism dimension; to create a tourist program linked to all the available cultural resources within the community; arranging promotions of the new activities archaeological sites and selling ancient ceramic objects would not sustain their living, so they stopped looting and tried to preserve the kiln sites, located in their orchards, in association with the preservation of natural forestland.