Michele Y. Smith serves as MoPOP's CEO, a mission-focused leader with extensive experience in nonprofit business development.
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Museums are among our most beloved cultural institutions. A well-curated museum can tell us about ourselves and preserve history while inspiring the future. However, there is also a dark past to contend with.
The story of museums is inextricably linked to the history of colonialism and cultural appropriation. Fortunately, the conversation is changing to reshape museums to be more community-focused and representative of the communities they serve.
As more women are appointed into museum leadership roles, I believe you can't ignore the influence of female leadership in this transformation. This diversity helps make museums dynamic spaces that resonate with diverse audiences. As we reflect on Women's History Month, which is celebrated throughout March, I see this as the perfect time to explore the impact of women's leadership on museums.
Reimagining Museum Leadership
I recently celebrated my first anniversary as the CEO of a museum in Seattle. So, the story of female executive leadership in large cultural institutions is very close to my heart. I'm proud to be among the women reimagining museums and what it means to lead them. I also look to my female peers for inspiration in transforming these institutions to be inclusive and representative.
As I see it, women can bring a fresh perspective to museum leadership by challenging traditional hierarchies. This means fostering an environment of collaboration and ensuring museums represent the experience and knowledge of marginalized groups. I've observed women who also showcase their dedication to inclusivity and equity in their leadership style. They empower staff and other stakeholders through inclusive decision-making processes and transparent communication. Ultimately, I believe this can lead to more innovative and impactful initiatives that allow everyone's voice to be heard.
I've found many women serve as advocates for inclusivity and representation within their museums as well. A New York Times article pointed out that many women museum directors it spoke with consider "elevating other women internally" a priority.
Lessons On Championing Inclusivity And Representation
It's important for directors to champion diverse perspectives, uncover untold narratives and give a platform to voices previously unheard. They also need to be able to adapt swiftly to the changing landscape while simultaneously prioritizing the well-being of their staff and visitors. You can see this in the exhibitions, programs and events curated at museums. By reflecting on the diversity of their communities, leaders can create spaces where all visitors feel seen, heard and valued.
To see what I mean, consider a few examples of women leaders in the museum space. I believe each of these women has helped foster a greater cultural understanding, champion inclusivity or challenge traditional historical narratives.
Thelma Golden, director and chief curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, is known for centering and promoting Black artists as far back as 1991. She is also known for her use of the term "post-Black" in a catalog essay, her point being that "Blackness contained multitudes and need not be the defining characteristic" of the artists' work, according to the New Yorker.
Another example is María Inés Rodríguez, an art curator who may be best known for her tenure as director of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Bordeaux (known as CAPC). She was fired in 2018, which sparked a conversation on the shortage of women leaders at French cultural institutions.
There's also Min Jung Kim. She's the eleventh director of the Saint Louis Art Museum and the only woman, immigrant and person of color to have ever held the position in the institution, which was founded in 1879, St. Louis Public Radio said. Upon her appointment in 2021, Kim presented her vision of community engagement and inclusivity for the museum.
As a leader in the museum community, and as a Black woman, I believe it is imperative for museum leaders to learn from examples like these and champion inclusivity themselves. Embracing diversity and inclusivity not only enriches the museum experience but also ensures museums work toward becoming and remaining relevant and accessible to all members of society.
To get started on this journey, museum leaders can take several actions.
1. Commit to diversity in exhibitions and programs. Actively seek out artists, curators and collaborators from underrepresented communities.
2. Foster inclusive spaces. Hold staff training on diversity, equity and inclusion practices, and implement policies promoting accessibility and respect for all visitors.
3. Engage with community partners. This can enable you to co-create programs reflecting the needs and interests of local communities.
4. Prioritize inclusive hiring practices. Promote diversity and equity within museum staff and leadership roles.
5. Actively seek out and amplify the voices of marginalized communities. This can be done through exhibitions, publications and public programs. Create platforms for dialogue and collaboration empowering marginalized groups to share their stories and perspectives.
Empowering Future Generations Of Museum Professionals
Through intentional action and collaboration, museum leaders can demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity and equity, foster a museum environment truly reflective of the diverse communities they serve and continue to build more inclusive and accessible cultural institutions for future generations to enjoy.
I share a mission with many leaders of cultural institutions. I believe the people leading today's museums, and women in particular, can serve as mentors, role models and advocates for future generations of diversity and inclusion. Through astute decision-making and strategic planning, leaders can successfully steer museums toward a future that is both sustainable and forward-thinking.
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