Communities of Practice within the hybrid cultural institution

Abstract

Hybrid cultural institutions have emerged in the last decades. LAM (libraries, archives and museums) convergences are a particularly complex hybrid, as they combine different jurisdictions, professions and ideas on how to collect, preserve and communicate cultural heritage. This article explores the LAM convergence of BMA-Maltfabrikken in a former malting house in the Danish town of Ebeltoft. The article presents the findings of a research project into the impact that the process of LAM convergence had on the employees’ disciplinary development. The authors point to three key factors that may engender a sustainable LAM convergence process: LAM convergence as a process of professional development for museum professionals; LAM convergence as sustained by a series of Communities of Practice; and increased awareness of professional identity as a matter of flexible leadership and a loosely coupled organization.