Across the nation, we are mourning the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery & Breonna Taylor with sadness and distress. Recent events have illuminated the systemic injustice that remains entrenched in our country and its institutions. As professionals in the cultural sector, it is pressing to situate our current moment, as well as the long history of deep-seated racism and inequality, in the context of museums and cultural organizations. As mission-based organizations serving diverse communities, it is critical to engage in a dialogue on the role of our institutions in a time of tragedy, anxiety, and unrest.
Last Thursday, around 3,000 people joined Brendan Ciecko (CEO & Founder @ Cuseum), Terri Freeman (President @ National Civil Rights Museum), Damon Reaves (Interim Senior Curator of Education @ Philadelphia Museum of Art) & Cecile Shellman (Senior Diversity Fellow @ American Alliance of Museums) for a discussion on how cultural organizations can face systemic injustice, strive towards a more equitable future, and be beacons of hope for their communities.
Watch the full recording here.
Here are a few of the biggest takeaways from the conversation.
Listen to The Communities You Serve
Museums are important pillars of their communities, and they are intertwined with those they serve in a variety of different ways, inside and out. It is more important than ever to look at how your organization can support diverse communities through the programs you offer, and by addressing representation amongst your staff and board. Supporting your community requires thinking through all the ways that your organization is involved, from end-to-end, and with open ears.
“Museums have to look at what their business is and how then can they lift up the voices of the community. All of us can do a better job of listening to our own community and giving them what they want in the museum.”
– Terri Freeman
There has never been a greater time or importance for institutions to engage in dialogue that will inform how they can support the community. It is more important than ever to seek feedback from audiences and community stakeholders that will inform the future of your museum.
Support and Invest in Your Colleagues of Color
It is equally important to consider your internal community: your staff, board, and volunteers. Listening to and supporting staff members of color is an essential step in striving towards an equitable future. Damon Reaves at Philadelphia Museum of Art emphasized the importance of making space for the multiplicity of voices and taking the time to listen.
“What does it mean to give up space? To realize that your voice is not the primary voice needed at the space or the table. Sometimes you’re making space for people to talk, to grieve, to be silent. I can’t stress enough making space to truly listen.”
– Damon Reaves
Offering support and being an active listener to your colleagues of color is also essential to ensuring that the cultural sector not only becomes a welcoming space for minority professionals to launch their careers, but also retains its talented and diverse professionals. As the first full-time African-American employee to run the education department at Philadelphia Museum of Art, Damon spoke more on creating a more inclusive environment.
“It’s not just how we get people of color into this field, but how we keep them. How do you make sure they want to stay? That's the work that is not being done.”
– Damon Reaves
Cecile Shellman at American Alliance of Museums added that this support can only be made by first changing internal practices.
“All of this is about social justice. Everyone has to first look internally and honestly and transparently work together to effect change.”
– Cecile Shellman
By focusing on lifting up your staff members of color, you not only support your internal community, but also add diverse perspectives and representation to the cultural field that can play a critical role in developing programs and experiences that resonate with your wider audience and visitors.
Follow Your Statements with Action
In the past several weeks, many museums have released statements that demonstrate their stance against racism. However to move forward with meaningful social justice work, it is important that statements are followed by action.
“You can make a statement, but you have to be held accountable. And someone has to hold you accountable. By someone, it could mean your staff, peers, or others in the field.”
– Cecile Shellman
Terri agreed that statements have to be followed with specific actions. She recommended first taking a moment and finding areas that need improvement, making changes within the organization, and then extending action to the community. For example: investing in educational or cultural exhibits that celebrate people of color can help invite underrepresented communities into your museum. Equally so, by focusing on hiring and retaining a diverse staff, you can take strides to create a more welcoming environment for diverse audiences.
That being said, when introducing new initiatives, Damon also reminded organizations to stay open and receptive to critique. Collecting audience feedback and welcoming constructive criticism will help to create programs that are constantly improving for those you serve.
Make the Moment Monumental
Right now, there is enormous potential to make this moment a transformational one for the United States, and for the cultural field. Looking at the volume of museums and organizations that have used their platforms to condemn systemic racism recently is already a sign of momentum. Just six years ago, when events like the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson occurred, museums, brands, and companies were mostly silent. Today, the response and activism from various museums around recent injustices are a sign of significant progress and hope.
That being the case, it is vital to continue this moment and take tangible actions to better the museum and cultural institutions. The initial response shows great promise - museums can use this momentum to effect meaningful change and commit to dismantling systemic injustice.
“Make the moment monumental. Make sure you tear down anything that doesn’t affirm. It’s not a checklist. It’s a life affirming endeavor.”
– Cecile Shellman
Going forward, every institution can take a step towards creating a diverse and inclusive culture for everyone, from the internal staff to the rest of the community.
There is lots of work to be done as museums and cultural organizations take steps towards an equitable future. Everyone can do their part in creating and participating in new dialogues, treating their peers with kindness, and working together to create changes that will have a lasting impact.
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