Why the Museum Matters:

Why the Museum Matters: by Daniel H. Weiss A powerful reflection on the universal art museum, considering the values critical to its history and anticipating its evolving place in our cultural future A powerful reflection on the universal art museum, considering the values critical to its history and anticipating its evolving place in our cultural future Art museums have played a vital role in our culture, drawing on Enlightenment ideals in shaping ideas, advancing learning, fostering community, and providing spaces of beauty and permanence. In this thoughtful and often personal volume, Daniel H. Weiss contemplates the idea of the universal art museum alongside broad considerations about the role of art in society and what defines a cultural experience.