EquityThroughArt’s Post

On equity and value for money: are we expecting those with additional needs (and, likely, expenses) to pay the same as those without, who do not have the same fatigue issues. Are things like paying once for repeat visits helpful?

🎉 Happy New Year! As we step into 2024, may your year be filled with art and museum experiences. 🏛️ But let's not just visit museums. Let's question, reflect, and critically engage with them. 🎨 A museum is more than a collection of artefacts: it's an institution in service to society. 🌍 It must be open, accessible, inclusive, ethically operated and foster diversity, sustainability, and community participation. But do museums always live up to these ideals? 🤔 Next time you're in a museum, go beyond the exhibits. Take notes, ask questions, and critically reflect on the space itself. 📝✨ 🚀 Museums should be spaces for dialogue, debate, and confrontation! Let's collectively make an informed effort to engage with art, artifacts, and the spaces that house them in 2024. How do you see museums evolving in the coming year? #happynewyear #2024success #artandculture #arthistory #museums

What is Slow Art Day? Slow Art Day is an annual event that encourages participants worldwide to look at and discuss art slowly. I’ve been taking part (and encouraging others to do so!) since 2012. Over 1,500 museums and galleries on every continent, including Antarctica’s McMurdo Station, have participated in Slow Art Day. This year it takes place on Saturday 13 April. The idea is simple: look at a few works of art for 5-10 minutes each. You can do this on your own, with a group of friends or as part of an event at a museum. You can also take part online in a guided or recorded session. You can choose which artworks to look at or let yourself be guided by what the museum or venue has chosen. Some venues pick five pieces of art, others may focus on just one or two, while others will give yet more options. To find a venue taking part, go to the Slow Art Day website (link in comments). Afterwards think about: What was it like to look slowly at a work of art? What did you notice? Are you going to take part in #SlowArtDay this year? Share this post to spread the word. #slowart #slowlooking #slowlookingatart #slowmovement #slowartday  cc: phyl terry

Art galleries and museums are contested public spaces where social hierarchies are questioned and subverted. They can present a range of different perspectives and beliefs, in which the past and the present are represented at the same time. Art galleries and museums are sites where dominant discourses can be critiqued by presenting competing voices and exhibiting diverse points of view. The conflicting voices and assimilation of the “words of others,” and the idea of meaning-making found between the speaker’s and the listener’s voices, can situate art galleries and museums as public spaces for dialogue. As public spaces, art galleries and museums can help facilitate the sharing of individual memories and stories as multiple versions of history offered in the public sphere with the intent of building community. 

Should we have taxidermy in museums? Is it… Ethical? Aesthetic? Or just plain outdated? This is the final post in my taxidermy series, and probably the biggest question yet. It’s not as simple as whether it makes us uncomfortable. Some of the deeper questions I’ve been pondering: 🌍 Does it align with the climate and biodiversity challenges we face today? 📚 Is it serving a purpose as a crucial educational tool, a story about species, environments, and history…or just an aesthetic choice? 🧐 How do we, as museum professionals, educators, and visitors, approach this difficult, ethical conversation? And whatever your stance, how do you ensure your voice is heard? Over the last few months, I’ve learned so much from you all about the sensory and behind-the-scenes realities of taxidermy. Now I want to know—what’s your take? Should taxidermy stay in the past (but out of our museums)? Or does it still hold an important place in our future? #MuseumEthics #Taxidermy #Museums #Curator Image is of a dodo in Leicester Museum and Art Gallery

In today's inclusive society, it's imperative that our cultural institutions are accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical abilities or sensory needs. By prioritizing accessibility in museum exhibits, we ensure that all individuals, including those with disabilities, can fully participate in and enjoy historical interpretation and cultural exploration. From wheelchair ramps and tactile exhibits to audio descriptions and sign language interpreters, there are a myriad of resources available to enhance accessibility and create a welcoming environment for all. It's crucial to recognize that accessibility extends beyond physical accommodations and encompasses a wide range of needs, including physical disabilities, visual impairments, hearing impairments, cognitive disabilities, and more. By embracing a diverse and inclusive approach to accessibility, museums can better serve their communities and enrich the visitor experience for everyone. Check out the link below for the Smithsonian's resources for Accessibile Exhibition Design. This is a great place to start when thinking about incorporating accessibility solutions into your next exhibit! https://lnkd.in/gC_fQ69 #Accessibility #ExhibitDesign #ExhibitDesigners #ExhibitionDesigners #ExhibitDesigners #DesigningforAccessibility #AccessibleDesign

Enhance your child's learning journey with captivating field trips to museums, art galleries, or historical sites. Immerse them in diverse cultures, art forms, and historical events. 🏛️💡 Share your thoughts or your favorite field trip memory in the comments below! 👇 #MicroschoolFieldTrips #microschool #microschooling #microschoolflorida #floridaeducation #floridaed #fieldtrips #nontraditionaleducation #innovativeeducation #northfloridaeducation

Museums are often seen as places to explore history and culture, but we sometimes overlook one of their most important roles: collecting. 🏛️ The work of collecting goes far beyond displaying artifacts. It’s about preserving pieces of the past for future generations, ensuring that stories, knowledge, and culture don’t get lost over time. Whether it’s ancient artifacts, contemporary art, or even everyday objects, these collections help us build a bridge between the past, present, and future. Behind every exhibit is a team of dedicated professionals who carefully curate, research, and safeguard these items. Their work is essential to ensuring that what we see in museums isn’t just a snapshot, but a well-researched, contextualized piece of history. When museums collect, they’re not just gathering objects — they’re creating an archive of humanity's story. As we continue to evolve, these collections help us reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going. So next time you visit a museum, remember that the work happening behind the scenes is just as important as the exhibits on display. 🙌 #MuseumWork #CulturalHeritage #Preservation #CuratingTheFuture #eminspost

Alaine Arnott, Ph.D. Arnott, Ph.D. I’m curious what you mean by “being ostracized, for not ‘conforming’ to another”, what exactly do you believe the museum has been pressured to conform to? What about these requirements are harmful or unhelpful? Ideally, diversity and inclusion should be viewed as progress, correct? So where is the disconnect in the policy that’s written? Do you feel speaking out on what’s happening to the Palestinian people would be “conforming” to what’s being asked of the museum? I for one would love to see the museum standing firmly in it’s advocacy for the rights of those who need their voices amplified. No matter the cost. I would’ve felt immensely more supported as an employee and a woman if the museum had shown any kind of support or solidarity when Roe v. Wade was overturned, knowing the staff is majority women. But the institution was completely silent. Maybe I need to do some research of my own on DEI requirements to understand why they seem to be so oppressive to the mission of National Liberty Museum? Is this a shortcoming of DEI requirements, or the shortcoming of a institution that ultimately wishes to be conservative? If that’s the case…. Just own it. But if your institution truly wants to fight for liberty, there should be no question of how to remain steadfast in that goal.

In a recent comedy bit, Taylor Tomlinson suggested starting museum visits in the gift shop, saying: "I don't want to look like an idiot standing in front of an unimportant piece of art for too long... What made the magnets? What made the postcards? What can I take home with me?" Despite the humorous take, it highlights a critical issue in the museum world. Are we too focused on the masterpieces, missing out on the emotional and educational value of the entire collection? 🎨🏛️ Museums should be spaces of exploration and connection, where every piece can evoke personal responses and inspire us. The obsession with only the famous works can overshadow this. As someone passionate about cultural heritage, I believe we need to shift this perspective. It's important to celebrate all the pieces, famous or not, and encourage visitors to discover the stories and emotions behind them. 🌟 By fostering a more inclusive appreciation, museums can improve our cultural experiences. Let’s make every visit about discovery and connection, not just ticking off the masterpieces. 🌍✨ #MuseumExperience #CulturalHeritage #ArtAppreciation #MuseumVisit