![Can museums preserve the past while addressing the present? British Museum Debate [AUDIO ONLY] @britishmuseum](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/r25bQnhoEXg/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Traditionally, museums have been regarded as politically neutral institutions, avoiding involvement in contemporary debates. But as custodians of art and culture and knowledge-holders, should they actively engage with social and political concerns, using the collections in their care to take a stand? What responsibilities do 'universal' museums bear in representing cultures from different times and places to the present generation within the context of their collection and wider audience engagement?
Join Margaret Casely-Hayford, Tom Holland, Grayson Perry and Simon Sebag-Montefiore in a debate chaired by Alice Thomson.
Traditionally, museums have been regarded as politically neutral institutions, avoiding involvement in contemporary debates. But as custodians of art and culture and knowledge-holders, should they actively engage with social and political concerns, using the collections in their care to take a stand? What responsibilities do 'universal' museums bear in representing cultures from different times and places to the present generation within the context of their collection and wider audience engagement?
Join Margaret Casely-Hayford, Tom Holland, Grayson Perry and Simon Sebag-Montefiore in a debate chaired by Alice Thomson.
![Can museums preserve the past while addressing the present? British Museum Debate [AUDIO ONLY]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/r25bQnhoEXg/mqdefault.jpg "Can museums preserve the past while addressing the present? British Museum Debate [AUDIO ONLY]
Traditionally, museums have been regarded as politically neutral institutions, avoiding involvement in contemporary debates. But as custodians of art and culture and knowledge-holders, should they actively engage with social and political concerns, using the collections in their care to take a stand? What responsibilities do universal museums bear in representing cultures from different times and places to the present generation within the context of their collection and wider audience engagement?
Join Margaret Casely-Hayford, Tom Holland, Grayson Perry and Simon Sebag-Montefiore in a debate chaired by Alice Thomson.")
