Institutional Racism in Museums

Hello everyone! In this episode, we examine the institutional racism present in larger and older museum institutions (Minneapolis Institute of Art, Chicago Art Museum, and Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Cleveland Art Museum, for example). Have the Diversity and Inclusion initiatives by museums succeeded? Sarah outlines three points of contention which Museums might use to examine their internal systemic racism, and how they might combat it successfully. Step 1 - Museums should examine (publicly) where their funding originated, how that shaped the physical collection. Step 2 - examine the museum’s staff racial diversity. Step 3 - What percentage of the overall collection has been created by artists of color, and how are those works presented? Links: Mia Receives Funding for Empathy and Diversity Initiatives Philadelphia’s legacy art museums work to attract a woke generation with frank talk and better amenities Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan - the Cleveland Museum of Art These Chicago Museums Are Being Paid To Diversify Their Board Some of the Benin works are being returned! - British Museum to return Benin bronzes to Nigeria DePaul Art Museum focuses on diversity, inclusion This is the piece by Holland Cotter mentioned - Museums Are Finally Taking a Stand. But Can They Find Their Footing? This Art Was Looted 123 Years Ago. Will It Ever Be Returned? And then there’s this - Why western museums should keep their treasures British Museum is world's largest receiver of stolen goods, says QC