Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion

Speechless: A sensory exhibition charts a new path to accessibility in learning

By Sarah Schleuning

Museums are constantly experimenting with how we can present content in ways that engage and inform a wide audience. Part of the challenge is to consider issues of accessibility and disability, to develop different ways of communicating …
The Top Ten Alliance Blog Posts of 2019

By Joseph O'Neill

It was a whirlwind year of museums making themselves over for our changing world. Evolving ethics, social and technological transformation, and the looming presence of the bottom line are turning our institutions inward, searching for …
Two Case Studies in Decolonization

By Daryl Jorgenson & Mae Sevedge

In this series of posts, EdCom’s Trends Committee is taking a deeper look at emerging phenomena identified in the most recent edition of TrendsWatch from the Center for the Future of Museums. In this post, they explore how the push for …
Zoos and Aquariums: Inspiring visitors, inspiring museums

By Elena Gonzales, PhD

I’ve been researching curatorial work for social justice for more than fifteen years and curating for more than ten. One of the biggest surprises I’ve had in this work came while I was writing my new book, Exhibitions for Social Justice. …
Table Setting: The work before the work

By Levon Williams

Often when I talk with folks about DEAI work there is a sense of urgency. They’ll say, “We’ve gotta make this happen now because so and so is really a problem,” or “We need our community engagement initiative started yesterday, so let’s …
Facing Change: Advancing Museum Board Diversity & Inclusion

By American Alliance of Museums

This introduction video provides an overview of AAM’s Facing Change program, with messages from AAM and museum leadership. Referenced in the video is the Board Leadership Report which provides background and data to support the need for …
Museopunks Episode 40: A very human exhibition

By Suse Anderson and Ed Rodley

Being Human, the new permanent gallery at Wellcome Collection explores what it means to be human in the 21st century. In creating the exhibition, the Wellcome Collection worked with two advisory panels – one composed of scientists, …
Sharing the Wealth: Museums as Equity Engines

By Elizabeth Merritt

Recently, I’ve been speaking of museums as banks—repositories of enormous wealth of reputation, knowledge, and influence, in addition to the sheer value of their endowments. I’ve advanced the thesis that by managing this wealth as a type …
The Stages of Aging

By Gretchen Jennings

Senior…Elder…Older American…Aging Boomer…Octogenarian…Centenarian Have you ever thought about how many decades are contained in these references we make to old age? There are almost fifty years between becoming eligible for an AARP card …
Belonging: Co-creating welcoming and equitable museums

By Sandra Bonnici

“Can you describe a time you felt unwelcome or like you didn’t belong in a museum?” This question was posed during a recent conference call for the Facing Change Senior Diversity Fellows. As I listened to my distinguished colleagues …