Can cultural institutions in the field of architecture and design play a role in fostering social innovation?

Cultural institutions have been actively transforming themselves in recent decades to become more sustainable and inclusive. These ongoing significant waves of change are starting to redefine the role of cultural institutions in society, and therefore, it is useful to explore how and whether cultural institutions can play a role in the transition to social innovation, that is one of the defining aspects of contemporary global society. Current museology literature emphasises the role of cultural institutions as 'agents for social change' (Eid & Forstrom, 2021, p. xxi). Museums, as a representative sector of cultural institutions, demonstrated the potential of their role as 'agents for social change' at the International Council of Museums (ICOM) conference in 2019. The conference proposed an alternative definition of the museum that emphasises to be inclusive, they must work with diverse communities and become spaces for critical dialogue (ICOM Announces the Alternative Museum Definition That Will Be Subject to a Vote, 2019). Mirko Zardini, former director of the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA), in an interview entitled 'Critical Condition', says the role of contemporary cultural institutions is frustrating as they are not providing the critical debate/thinking that society needs (Kafka, n.d.). This suggests that cultural institutions require further support in addressing socially concerned issues, such as accessibility, audience development, and audience and community engagement. Sandell (1998) points out in Museums as Agents of Social Inclusion, that cultural institutions are sectors where social exclusion may occur due to issues of access, participation and representation. Noting that "the number of visitors cannot be the only indicator of success" when cultural institutions consider audience development (European Commission. Directorate General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture. et al., 2017, p51). This measurement cannot be solely considered in an evaluation of social innovation, as an increase in numbers may be an indication of marketing success rather than the impact of social innovation. In this complex context, the question "can cultural institutions in the field of architecture and design play a role in fostering social innovation?" seems critical to pose in relation to the role of design. What ways and approaches have curators and exhibition designers engaged in social innovation in cultural institutions? What is the nature of exhibitions in terms of form and content where curators and exhibition designers have made social innovation a central concern? This chapter aims to analyse different points of view of various curators and exhibition designers in terms of how they understand and promote social innovation in cultural institutions in the field of architecture & design. Case studies will integrate and exemplify the different points of view. Case studies, as an evidence-based research method, will be used to make comparisons of the different perspectives of several curators and exhibition designers in terms of exhibition-making relevant to social innovation in cultural institutions. The findings will also create a visual map that can help understand the situations and approaches in existing exhibitions that engage with the social innovation agenda. The findings can support the development of broader design initiatives that have a positive impact on society, such as community and audience engagement in cultural institutions. It will also provide an interpretation of the specificity of where and how social innovation through design can take place in cultural institutions in the field of architecture and design.