Jennifer Levasseur, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
PROPOSAL TYPE
Structured Conversation
Seeking
- Seeking Additional Presenters
RELATED TOPICS
- Material Culture
- Museums/Exhibits
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
ABSTRACT
This structured conversation will address best practices for interpreting intersectional histories in museum exhibitions through short case studies and group discussion. As museums and cultural heritage sites prioritize diverse and inclusive storytelling in exhibitions, participants will address pressing questions including: How can museum professionals tell intersectional histories in a way that is responsible to historical actors and responsive to institutional diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) initiatives? What are some approaches for respecting silences without reproducing them? How do we acknowledge experiences of discrimination without essentializing it?
DESCRIPTION
mithsonian presenters will share efforts to interpret the life and work of Dr. Sally K. Ride, the first American woman in space and the first astronaut known to be in a same-sex relationship (posthumously acknowledged by her life partner). They will trace and problematize the trajectory of interpretive materials generated over decades, including exhibition content labels and other museum materials written about her life (blogs, online artifact labels, etc.). We are seeking contributors with similarly sensitive interpretive projects, past and present, who will present related case studies from their professional experiences. The goal is to start an active discussion to help each other with best practices for writing diverse and inclusive labels for broad audiences. We also welcome feedback/discussion of draft exhibition script content on Ride (exhibit to open in 2025).
If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to pass along someone’s contact information confidentially, please get in contact directly: Jennifer Levasseur, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, [email protected]
ALL FEEDBACK AND OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY JULY 1, 2021. If you have general ideas or feedback to share, please feel free to use the comments feature below.
Jennifer – Looking forward to what this session might become. Would be very interested in including the perspectives of both the Jane Addams Hull House Museum as well as Margaret Middleton. Would also be curious as to whether there is any perceived or real difference in how these issues are talked about and ultimately resolved at federal and/or private institutions.
Jennifer – I am putting together a community viewpoint session proposal for a permanent museum exhibit project at the Bosque Redondo Memorial in Fort Sumner, NM. It will include perspectives from the State of New Mexico, Navajo Nation Museum, Mescalero Tribal Historic Preservation Office, and consultants. If NCPH is okay with some of the same presenters discussing the project in two sessions, we could get folks to present this project as another case study. Shoot me an email – [email protected] – if you want to discuss further.
Jennifer, I think that this is a very interesting idea. I like the idea of using the case studies to build guiding principles. And I’m very impressed by “reading” Sally Ride’s life and work alongside the goals and responsibilities of intersectional interpretation. This framework could generate conversations about the responsibilities of a public history organization to its collaborators over time. Good luck!
I think that this will make for a great conversation. I would recommend bringing in someone from the National Park Service. They are a very public-facing organization that is dealing with this very issue. I would recommend an interpreter from Fort Sumter. They have done a really good job of re-interpreting the site. I do not know them personally but have seen their work.
I really like this one.
I’d be interested in seeing variance in the intersectional stories told.
I’d be super interested in seeing something that speaks to an aspect of how one considers accessibility or mental health.
I’d also be super interested to see how this question is discussed – What are some approaches for respecting silences without reproducing them? (“Do No Harm”)