Chile and its community museums: identity reserves in interculturality scenarios

Abstract

In this article it has been analyzed the community museums from Chile, the contribution to social sustainability and the local identity of the territories that represent these conservation and exhibition spaces of both material and immaterial artifacts, in scenarios of increasing interculturality. The concept of community museum has been revised, distinguishing it conceptually from other types of similar initiatives, from a sustainability perspective. The study was carried out based on the documen- tary descriptive analysis of seven cases of community museums registered in the Directorate of Libraries Archives and Museums of Chile (DIBAM) database where the existing totality was addressed, complemented by two field experiences. This research has allowed to discern the contributions of this cultural expression type to the recognition of local identities, which allows conserving the communities ́ cultural repertoire where they have been inserted as identity reproduction systems.