MCN2015

Museums are shared information environments where the architecture of culture--that is, the planning, designing, technological, space and ambience-- reflect the functional, technical, social, environmental and aesthetic values of cultural heritage. Museums are places where material culture provides opportunities for museum professionals to act as a kind of information architect. Therefore, meaning-making for our visitors can be made more culturally congruent, accessible; and thereby, more visible to our visitors when we employ 21st century literacies which reinforce these new perspectives.Many museums are reluctant to directly address race and ethnicity for various reasons yet provide community-based outreach and design exhibitions and programs that engage these topics directly and indirectly. Without addressing internal structures that often perpetuate oppression and increasing cultural competency, museums lack the authenticity required to steward material culture and meaningfully serve and partner with diverse audiences.Presented in roundtable format, this presentation will draw upon critical race theory, museology, and community engagement theories, and will present hands-on approaches to increasing the cultural competency of museums and those who work with them.