A few days every month, I voluntarily led 30-minute discussions in the galleries with the museum’s security officers as a way to improve institutional inclusion. With a few officers in a gallery at a time, I started discussions by posing a question or giving a topic and letting the conversation lead where it may. We covered issues of race, class, age, and gender. While keeping the conversation constructive, I introduced new ideas, information, and theories that I have learned in my time as an art history major, museum studies intern, and visitors services employee. They shared their insights from working in the galleries observing the museum and it’s visitors everyday. 

Purpose:

• Inclusion within the institution: allow the officers (Allied Secuirty contractors) to take part in art-related activities with museum staff
• Increase officers’ ability to answer visitors’ questions
• Activate the collection
• Recognize the officers’ artistic and intellectual interests
• Teach the officers topics in museum studies, art appreciation, and art interpretation
• Provide the officers with an accessible point-of-contact in the museum