The Goeldi Museum and Museum Education: the Trajectory and Challenges of an Educational Sector (2001-2022)

Abstract

The Education Service of the Paraense Museum Emílio Goeldi, created in the late 20th century, has an academically explored trajectory. In this context, this study sought to analyze the development of the educational team of that sector from 2001 to 2022 to mitigate the study gap on its performance and trajectory. This qualitative research was guided by principles of the National Museal Education Policy, a bibliographic survey, documentary analysis, and semi-structured interviews with educators. It found more than 400 educational actions, classifying them as ephemeral or long lasting. The ephemeral actions were usually conducted by scholarships and addressed issues considered temporary emergencies, whereas long-term ones refer to those longer than four years that depended on museum professionals for their continuity. It also found a lack of theoretical-methodological foundation in the work developed by the team, highlighting the need for an educational and cultural program, which remains nonexistent in the institution. Moreover, several partnerships with public and private institutions were essential for these actions, generating some dependence on project maintenance. The analysis of the trajectory of the Education Service team showed standards, contradictions, and singularities that enrich the understanding of its performance, subsidizing reflections on the professionalization and structuring of museal education in the Paraense Museum Emílio Goeldi. This study may contribute to institutional memory and the strengthening of more solid and lasting educational practices.