Arts institutions, such as museums, were founded on colonialist ideas – white Europeans collected the rest of the world during their conquests and travels, establishing places to promote one set of cultural ideals at the expense of others. Though many have reexamined their history and practices, shifting their missions toward education and visitor experience, museums and other arts institutions carry the baggage of these historic origins. For our arts institutions to matter and fulfill their mission to BiPOC and future publics can we rethink and repair them? Or, should we knock them all down and rebuild new institutions? Or something in between? Our panel considers these questions in a wide-ranging discussion on the future of art institutions.

Moderated by Christina Olsen, Director of the University of Michigan Museum of Art; with Maurita Poole, Director and curator of the museum at Clark Atlanta University; Terence Washington, Program Director at NXTHVN, a model to advance the careers of artists and curators of color through mentorship and professional development; and Anya Sirota, Associate Dean of Academic Initiatives at Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.

Monday, February 22, 4:00-5:10.

Register to receive Zoom information:
https://umich.formstack.com/forms/feb22_futureofart