Cultural programming for social catharsis: the case of the Aeschylus museum

Abstract

The Aeschylus Museum is in development for the town of Eleusis, Greece, site of the Eleusinian Mysteries and birthplace of the ancient tragedian Aeschylus. The institution will practice a collections-free strategy that acknowledges objects as one tool of the museum, employing digital exhibitions to foster effective engagement and relevance. By presenting transcendent values through the narratives of Aeschylus, exhibitions will have the power to forge shared connections between visitors and the past. These values will enable the Museum to be an interactive and participatory “institution of the Muses,” hosting a theater and cultural center as well as the Museum’s digital exhibitions. In developing the Aeschylus Museum, we sought to engage the community by identifying key segments of potential visitors and their values and needs. This article presents seven primary segments of the Museum’s potential audience and the expectations they may have for the institution going forward. Future research is required to develop appropriate programming for these projected audiences.