Museums Now

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in the moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

Museums are a mission-based part of civil society and civic engagement for the benefit of the community. Museums must acknowledge the current events of the war in Ukraine, the rise of fascism and authoritarianism, rising inflation, and rising tensions within the United States. Museum communications must serve as a member of the visitors’ communities.

As such, museums need to do the following.

Acknowledge current events. The staff, donors, visitors, and artists see the current events. The museum institution is not above current events. Museums provide a long-term perspective of recent events to support the community’s needs. The point is not to be simply above; the point is to be offering wisdom, guidance, and maturity as support for the community. Elitism is not an answer; the purpose of the longer term is to provide guidance and support.

Empathy. Current events are having an impact on communities and individuals. During two years of covid-19, a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, increasing galvanization in the United States, and rising authoritarianism are having an exhausting effect. Suicides are increased, car accidents are increased, depression is…