In The Emancipated Museum, Dutch art historian and researcher Steven ten Thije (b. 1980) engages in a personal inquiry into the importance of art museums in our ever more fragmented society. Despite museums unprecedented success in attracting masses of visitors, the future of museums is uncertain. They may portray a sense of calm and self-assurance to outsiders, but museums are far from immune to the cracks in society. The tensions between high and low, newcomer and native, rich and poor insidiously worm their way into museum foundations. Ten Thije looks toward a future in which art museums might become part of a new emancipation movementa future in which museums offer an open environment that prioritizes the quality of the museum visit and challenges visitors to make their own choices. A pocket-sized publication with a serious and important message to share, The Emancipated Museum is volume 12 in the series commissioned by the Mondriaan Fund presenting essays on issues regarding art and culture today.