Recent events have prompted individuals, companies, and organizations across the world to take a deeper look at their role in society and explore how they can play an active part in driving the change they want to see. Museums and cultural organizations, with their mission-based work and commitment to community, have an especially important role to play in this current moment. To step up and effect change in areas of social justice, cultural professionals are turning to their colleagues within the field, as well as seeking inspiration and guidance from other industries to generate fresh ideas and develop meaningful new approaches.
Over 2,000 people joined the Tuesday webinar, which took the form of a museum “Think Tank” where innovative voices from the museum field converge with social impact entrepreneurs who are addressing some of society’s most challenging issues. We had Brendan Ciecko (CEO & Founder @ Cuseum), Kayleigh Bryant-Greenwell (Head of Public Programs @ Smithsonian American Art Museum & Renwick Gallery), OnRae Watkins (Senior Manager @ ARTLAB - Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden), David Delmar Sentíes (Executive Director & Founder @ Resilient Coders), and Jon Feinman (Executive Director & Founder @ InnerCity Weightlifting) as they explored how museums can serve as incubators for social impact and social justice.
Watch the full recording here.
Here are the major takeaways.
Take Action Beyond Statements
Recent events have illuminated the profound racial injustice in the United States. In response, many organizations have begun releasing statements in support of justice and equality, and in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. These statements are a significant step, but most will agree that statements absolutely need to be followed with action.
Moving forward, it will be necessary for institutions to take tangible steps and hold themselves accountable for their statements. Kayleigh Bryant-Greenwall at Smithsonian American Art Museum noted that this is the time to take a close look at your mission and values and reflect on where you can start in terms of creating change.
“To start, museums have to reconceptualize why we’re here. Museums are a ways away from the impact, but starting the work is well within our means. It means rethinking why we are even here.”
– Kayleigh Bryant-Greenwall
In the cultural sector, there are several excellent models for what action steps can look like. Kayleigh gave a shout out to two organizations that have been exceptional in their commitments to dismantling systemic racism. For example, the Eastern State Penitentiary has reconceptualized their museum’s purpose to educate audiences on mass incarceration. They have also changed their hiring practices, and are committed to hiring previously incarcerated people. The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center has also demonstrated dedication to their statements through sharing resources on how people can stand up against xenophobia. Online resources, such as the Anna May Wang x Sally Wen Mao postcard series and “Twelve Women to Know for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month,” have been consistently updated throughout the entire month of May.
David Delmar Sentíes of Resilient Coders highlighted the importance of having specific action steps and re-evaluating the systems that currently govern your organization.
“If your initiative does not focus on recalibration of power, you cannot call it equity. If the initiative does not have specific metrics or a strategy, it's not a business or your organization does not care.”
– David Delmar Sentíes
Progress can only be made with actionable strategies internally and externally. In light of this, it is incredibly important, as well, to prioritize your own staff. On this note, OnRae Watkins at Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden’s ARTLAB reminded us to respect staff at every level. Oftentimes, people of color provide building services and security services, which can be overlooked. These individuals do the fundamental work that keeps museums running, especially on the frontlines during post-COVID reopenings.
As organizations start to implement action steps, it is important to remember your internal community of staff. Without first setting up an inclusive culture within cultural institutions, it will be that much more difficult to connect with diverse audiences and develop effective external programs. Now is the time for institutions to consider their core mission and values and how it can fight against the current social injustice that is reflected in the museum space.
Listen, Listen, Listen
When approaching the question of what our organizations can do to foster an inclusive culture, the first step can be as simple as listening to others. Through first listening and connecting to the communities you’re looking to support, Jon Feinman at InnerCity Weightlifting advised that organizations can gain a clearer perspective on injustice, rather than making assumptions regardless of good intentions.
“When we think about what action we can take, it starts with listening to first understand the problem from the perspective of the people who have lived it and it comes to forming those relationships.”
– Jon Feinman
Kayleigh also agreed that listening is essential to creating positive work environments for people of color and retaining diverse professionals in the cultural field.
“How many have ever heard about a conversation about retention, about keeping people of color in museums. Anecdotally, we know that people of color come into museums and then leave permanently. The field is not designed to support people of color, to keep us in, to elevate us, to promote us through, to bring us to leadership...There’s a difference between doing and being. I think the being part is where museums need to start. We have to start being anti-racist and no progress starts until we’re there.”
– Kayleigh Bryant-Greenwall
Action is essential, but before jumping into action, listening thoughtfully is a critical first step to enacting change at your institution.
The Power of the Pitch
When it’s time to take action and implement new ideas, it’s important to recognize the power of the pitch. In fact, to push ideas beyond the initial phases, one crucial step is to gain support through funds, grants, or scholarships. Fundraising is vital to validating ideas, and to presenting more than a memo without a plan.
OnRae was able to launch The Salon at the Hirshhorn Museum, an immersive installation that invited guests to learn about the importance of hair in Black culture through the experience at the Black hair salon. She did this not through just pitching the idea, but by applying for a grant to support her initiative. By the time she brought it to her supervisor, she had already secured $60,000 to support the idea.
Equally important, she suggested that cultural professionals invest in networking. Through interacting with others inside and outside your field, you will have a chance to pitch your ideas and gain informal feedback that can help advance your projects.
“Know you have the ability to fundraise. Go out and network. Bring your idea to the table.”
– OnRae Watkins
Jon agreed, and mentioned that around 90% of their revenue at InnerCity Weightlifting has come from relationships they built. During these difficult economic times, it’s even more important to have strong networks around you to help weather the storm.
At the same time, it is important to be judicious about what money you take. When David first launched Resilient Coders, he understood that he would encounter failure before success, and he pursued funding accordingly.
“You have to be careful who you accept the money from. I was intentional in telling people that this was an idea. What I said was ‘we’re going to go through a series of increasingly better failures.’ Our profile of organizations that funded us in the very beginning were those who were comfortable that this was going to fail to some degree.”
– David Delmar Sentíes
OnRae agreed to David’s statement and added:
“You have control over what happens at your institution. It needs to fit your pedagogy, guidelines, core values. Sometimes you have to say no.”
– OnRae Watkins
Being able to pitch your idea, write effective grants, and form key partnerships is important, but so is ensuring that the individuals and foundations you receive funds from will align with your values.
In this time of uncertainty and social injustice, organizations can do their part to follow statements with meaningful actions. By stepping back to listen, evaluate internal practices, and gain input from staff members at all levels, cultural organizations can begin the vital process of initiating change.
Looking for more information? Check out our Resources page.