From Small Wins to Sweeping Change
Issued Date
Copyright Date
2022
Resource Type
Language
eng
Text
Text
File Type
application/pdf
No. of Pages/File Size
268 pages
ISBN
9781538163603
Alternative Title(s)
Working Together to Foster Equity, Inclusion, and Antiracism in Museums
Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
How does a diverse community thrive in spaces that were designed to be exclusionary? Museums--with histories tied to colonial violence and racist practices and whose survival is largely reliant on the generosity of wealthy donors--were not built to be inclusive. Yet many museums' missions and the people who bring these missions to life have egalitarian aims. In recent years museum practitioners across the country have been proactively confronting our histories of colonization and exclusion and advancing equity and inclusion.
Museums of all types have formed cross-departmental teams to critique their internal practices, review hiring processes, and ultimately foster a more diverse and inclusive environment for both visitors and staff alike. But how do such initiatives get off the ground? How do individuals build support among all stakeholders and successfully advocate for new positions, programs, and cross-departmental working groups? How can colleagues work together across departments to foster more inclusive museum practices?
This book from the American Alliance of Museums brings together a collection of tools, solutions, and models from DEAI practitioners who have actively worked together towards institutional change. With 60% BIPOC authorship, this book will provide hope and inspiration, as well as concrete strategies for museum workers all over the country who are achieving small wins and fostering sweeping change in the predominantly white cultural sector through innovation, collaboration, and courage.
This is the first book to focus specifically on collaborative and inclusive practices in equity and anti-racism work in different types of museums. Its case studies demonstrate the importance of relationship building, authentic connections, and developing foundations together over time, providing a much-needed resource for museum professionals at every level who are grappling with inequities that are pervasive in museums.
Table of contents
Acknowledgments ix--
Preface Priya Frank and Theresa Sotto xi--
PART I. Goal and Vision Setting--
1. Carving a Path from Diversity to Justice Anniessa Antar and Elisabeth Callihan with contributions by Alice Anderson, Gretchen Halverson, Frances Lloyd-Baynes, Thomas Lyon, Tobie Miller, Krista Pearson, Frederica Simmons, Jamie Van Nostrand, Keisha Williams, and Jill Ahlberg Yohe 3--
2.DEAI Committees as Drivers of Organizational Change Jenni Martin, Marilee Jennings, and Cecilia Garibay 21--
3. Using an Inspirational Read to Build an Institutional DEAI Action Plan Brindha Muniappan and Neil Gordon 33--
4. The Individual as Agitant: Catalyzing Transformational Change Christian Blake 43--
PART II. Structure, Sustainability, and Impact--
5. The Hammer Museum’s Diversity and Inclusion Group: Evolution and Impact Alexander Barrera, Tara Burns, Theresa Sotto, and Nick Stephens 57--
6. The Accessibility Task Force at The Museum of Modern Art Francesca Rosenberg and Lara Schweller 69--
7. Be Bold: Small Actions Lead to Big Change Julia Latané and Stacey Gevero Swanby with contributions by George Luna Peña 83--
PART III. Assessment and Accountability--
8. Using Data to Inform Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy at the Minnesota Historical Society Chris Taylor 97--
9. Polishing the Mirror: Reflections on the Equity Audit Developed and Conducted by the Corning Museum of Glass Katherine Larson and Lianne Uesato 107--
10. From Awareness to Action: Developing Your Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy Through Racial Healing Regina N. Ford 117--
11. Holding Ourselves Accountable to Anti-Racist Work at the RISD Museum Lily Benedict, MJ Robinson, and Kajette Solomon 129--
PAST IV. Staff Learning and Training--
12. Elements of Friendship: An Approach to Internal Community Building Ashanti Davis, Mel Harper, and Marissa Volpe 141--
13. Embracing Our Complexities in Arts Spaces: Implicit Bias Training and Trauma-Informed Approaches Sue Bell Yank and Theresa Sotto 151--
14. Sustaining Anti-Racism Education in Museums: Advice from Anti-Racism Facilitators Marit Dewhurst and Keonna Hendrick 165--
PART V. Engaging Groups beyond Staff--
15. Redefining Consultation: The Burke Museum Native American Advisory Board Rex Buck Jr., Polly Olsen, Sumathi Raghavan, and Julie K. Stein 179--
16. Integrating Volunteers into Every Stage of DEAI Work Andrew Palamara and Caitlin Tracey-Miller 191--
17. Old Systems, New Voices: Building Pathways for Change at Seattle Art Museum Priya Frank, Tina Lee, Regan Pro, and David Rue 203--
Bibliography 217--
Index 227--
About the Authors 241--
About the Editors 243--