Complex Exchange: Building Equity Through Partnership

Complex Exchange: Building Equity through Partnership

How can museums partner to address institutional and systemic inequity?

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Harmon and Harriet Kelly Collection of African American Art: Works on PaperNov 2015 – April 2016

The MashupUnexpected pairings

Artists/MediaDesigners/ActivistsTechs/Historians

Gallerists/Policy MakersMakers/Critics

The possibilities are endless

Tradition/Innovation HopBeauty/Fashion Black Body/White SpaceRepresentation/SubjectivityMedia/Self-ImageAuthorship/LaborHip Hop culturePower /Privilege

Program Successes•Audience response and receptiveness

•Addressed a clear need

•Making space for artist voice

Program Lessons•Reflect equity in process and content

•Equity vs equality

•Perceptions of Institutions vs Community Based Organizations

Program Lessons“As a programming team, it was essential to us that each Complex Exchange was driven by an incredible roster of presenters from the African American community in the Seattle region. We also wanted each group to feel ownership over their conversation. As a representative of SAM and a white straight male, my responsibility wasn’t to shape the content of that conversation, but to step back, listen, and adapt my practices to facilitate their conversation.”

- Philip Nadasdy, Manager of Public Programs at SAM

Program Lessons•Reflect equity in process and content

•Equity vs equality

•Perceptions of Institutions vs Community Based Organizations

Conclusion

Take this model. Do it better. Teach us back in return.

Leilani LewisAssistant Director, Diversity Communications & Outreach, University of Washingtonleilani.lewis1@gmail.com

Regan ProKayla Skinner Deputy Director for Education & Public Programs, Seattle Art Museumreganp@seattleartmuseum.org