FutureSpaces

Art museums talk a big game about diversity, both about who creates the art and who goes inside the buildings to see the art. But talking about diversity only gets you so far, and frankly, it’s not enough.  Jane Golden doesn’t just talk. MuralArts is one of the largest public arts institutions in the world. It’s the reason that Philadelphia has more murals than any other city.  There’s a lot that traditional art museums and galleries can learn from MuralArts. But there’s also a lot that civic officials can learn about how public art can inspire a city. Today, we’ll hear a story about how a prison inmate changed his life by working for MuralArts, and how his redemption inspired him to meet the victim of his crime, face-to-face. What other city service is making that much of an impact?

Science museums have been around for hundreds of years. They showcase natural history, paleontology, geology, technology, and they’re just a good place to learn about the science.  But lately, it seems that a lot of these museums have been selling out to entertainment. Today, we explore why The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia’s oldest and most prestigious science museum, has recently featured massive exhibits dedicated to fictional movie franchises such as Marvel, Jurassic Park, and Pixar. What does this mean for the future of science centers? Should other museums be leaning into entertainment value?