Description
Book SynopsisDiversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in all aspects of museums’ structure and programming are top issues in the field today – and in the overall arts/culture sector. Much has been written, from various perspectives, over several decades. Yet, a lack of diversity remains and exclusive practices and inequities persist in all types of museums. For the first time, a go-to resource is available for readers interested in learning about diversity and inclusion work in the field – past, present and future. This edited collection of the most important essays, speeches, and reports on these topics seeks to facilitate a much-needed intergenerational dialogue that helps build on lessons from the past, broadens thinking about the many different facets of this complex work, and ignites inspiration for continuing to correct inequities across museums of all types, sizes, and locations. In this book compiled and edited by Johnnetta Betch Cole, who has served as both director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and as the president of both historically Black colleges for women in the United States, Spelman College and Bennett College (a distinction she alone holds) and Laura Lott, president and CEO of the American Alliance of Museums, (the first woman to the lead the organization), thought leaders in the museum field present their research, analysis and work to answer some of the most challenge questions facing the museum field. Why do these problems persist? How will a new generation of museum leaders change this picture – to better represent the communities museums strive to serve and engage? What can we learn from those who have been observing, experiencing, and writing about these issues?
Table of ContentsPart 1: A Call to Action 1. Flies in the Buttermilk: Museums, Diversity, and the Will to Change Lonnie Bunch 2. Museums, Racism, and the Inclusiveness Chasm Carlos Tortolero 3. 2015 American Alliance of Museums Annual Meeting Keynote Address Johnnetta Betsch Cole 4. Women's Locker Room Talk: Gender and Leadership in Museums Kaywin Feldman Part 2: Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Strategies 5. Twin Threats: How Ignorance and Instrumentality Create Inequality and Injustice Darren Walker 6. The Leadership Imperative: Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion as Strategy Laura L. Lott 7. History That Promotes Understanding in a Diverse Society Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko 8. Pipeline is a Verb: Field Notes on the Spelman College Curatorial Studies Pilot Program Andrea Barnwell Brownlee 9. Museums and ADA at 25: Progress and Looking Ahead Beth Bienvenu 10. Catalyzing Inclusion: Steps Towards Sustainability in Museums Natanya Khashan 11. It’s Time to Stop and Ask “Why?” Lisa Sasaki Part 3: The Necessity and Power of First Person Voices 12. Much Has Been Taken, But All is Not Lost: The Restorative Promise of First-Voice Representation Eduardo Díaz 13. No Longer Hiding in Plain Sight William Underwood Eiland 14. The National Museum of the American Indian: Whence the 'Art Object' W. Richard West, Jr. Part 4: Personal Journeys 15. Disability and Innovation: The Universal Benefits of Inclusive Design Haben Girma 16. Maybe This Time: A Personal Journey Toward Racial Equity in Museums Elaine Gurian 17. Museum Musings: Then and Now Cecile Shellman Appendix A: Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Definitions Appendix B: The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Art Museum Staff Demographic Survey Appendix C: Museum Board Leadership Report Excerpt – The People Appendix D: Selected Resources
