This paper aims to study and define the function, role and significance of museum education in this changing society on the premise that museum has public nature as social space. As the society had shifted towards postmodernism after social, political and cultural transformations in the 20th century, museum had gone through enormous changes. Museum used to gain its authority by producing cultural power and spatializing and visualizing the world of aesthetics. However, in the new era, museum is focused to compete with other social entities. Its curatorial power is challenged by the public while museum management is asked to find more interests and new approach to visitors. At this moment, museum needs to define its identity within its relationship with the society. The ontology of museum as a place of coexisting with local community can be established in its effort to understand and communicate various issues on visitors and social conditions. Hooper-Greenhill explained the complicated and multifaceted causes of change in museum. For example, there are demands for social responsibility and response of museum from the public, deeper understanding and knowledge on museum, and expansion of policies emphasizing educational activities. These factors point out the role of museum in the society and the justifiability of museum education. Museum’s identity as social institution is often recognized in the society. According to a survey among museum visitors, people answered sufficient description for exhibition (81.8%) and substantial provision of museum collection (80.4%) as important factors. About educational programs, many people mentioned the necessity of lifelong learning (81.4%) and the number and quantity of educational programs (80.6%). National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) conducted a survey among visitors from July 31 to August 31, 2017. Out of 390 respondents from Seoul and Gwacheon branches, 212 people (54.4%) answered that the level of museum’s social contribution was either very high or high. The result shows that the public regards museum as social space that operates in the relationship with the society. It also shows that the public expects MMCA to fulfill its public responsibility as a national institution. Today’s museums are required to play effective roles for satisfying various demands from the society and the public. Museums should prove their justifiability and dynamics of existence and present new kinds of values in the context of changing society beyond their previously proven values. In this sense, the role of museum education should be redefined from the perspective that museum can organize and expand complicated networks among visitors and contemporary arts. The author hopes that this paper can provide useful consideration of social function, role, and future direction of museum education so that museum can implement its publicness through museum education.
