July/August 2024
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Convergence
Museums are equipped to do remarkable work in bringing new perspectives to people, finding common grounds amid division, and deeply examining biases and how to mitigate them. Find out how—and why this work is more important than ever—in this must-read issue of Museum.
In this issue:
From the President
Museums for an Open Mind
“Sometimes, we hastily dismiss things without truly understanding them. A single word can lead us to make assumptions. Museums can open minds… Sure, it will take a lot of work to dial down the division and dial into this shared value system. But I know from experience that it’s possible, and that museum programs and exhibitions are the places to build this shared understanding. We can make it happen.“
» Read the full column, an introduction to the issue from AAM’s President and CEO, Marilyn Jackson.
Fighting Apathy
FEATURE
by James E. Herr
The Japanese American National Museum’s Democracy Center promotes unity among people of all backgrounds.
A Controversy of Monumental Proportions
FEATURE
by Mindy Farmer
The Kent State Memorial commemorating the May 4, 1970, shootings has been polarizing since its inception.
Search History
FEATURE
by Jessica BrodeFrank
Including the public in digital catalogue descriptions will improve access to museum collections and help mitigate bias.
Audiences and Inclusion
FEATURE
by Susie Wilkening
Introduction to and excerpt of “Audiences and Inclusion: “A Primer for Cultivating More Inclusive Attitudes Among the Public.”
Changing the Rules of Engagement
POINT OF VIEW
by Coco Xu
There are evidence-based strategies museums can employ to become sites of depolarization and civil discourse.
Philosophy of Choice
POINT OF VIEW
by Elaine Heumann Gurian
What if visitors could choose their own intellectual pathways in museum exhibitions?
July/August 2024 issue
By the Numbers:
What Unites Us
» For more on this topic, explore an introductory Data Story on civics, civil society, and museums from the Annual Survey of Museum-Goers and the follow-up Data Story on the spectrum of attitudes.
Voting in local, state, and national elections:
Conservatives: 82%
Liberals: 92%
Seeking and listening to other viewpoints, even when we disagree:
Conservatives: 57%
Liberals: 79%
Participating in community activities,
such as volunteering or attending community events or meetings:
Conservatives: 67%
Liberals: 80%
» Explore more Data Stories from the Annual Survey of Museum-Goers.
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Stay tuned!
September/October 2024 – Leadership
November/December 2024 – DEAI
» Explore the Editorial Calendar.
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