From the Field

Evolving Museum Practice: Repatriation, Restitution, Reparations

The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) is launching a project aimed at addressing evolving values regarding the ownership and control of museum collections, titled, The Next Horizon of Museum Practice: Voluntary Repatriation, Restitution, and Reparations. AAM has released a paper that introduces the framework and sets the stage for how it will proceed, exploring where the changes may lead the future of collections and museums. The project will result in a series of published papers that will help support the field in identifying barriers to change and mapping navigable pathways to preferred futures.

DEAI Tools for Museum Transparency, Accountability and Change

A recent American Alliance of Museums blog highlights the Bakken Museum, a science museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as an exemplary case of integrating diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion (DEAI) reporting into its operations and practices. The museum utilizes an annual DEAI report to track its progress, identify challenges, and enhance transparency. Additionally, the Bakken Museum employs the Museums & Race Report Card, a tool specifically designed to assess museum progress on DEAI, which was first introduced in 2018 as a part of the Museums & Race movement. The Bakken Museum’s journey serves as a valuable reference for other museums and arts organizations seeking to embrace transparency and accountability in their DEAI endeavors.