A few days every month, I voluntarily led 30-minute discussions in the galleries with the museum 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. While keeping the conversation constructive, I also 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. We covered issues of race, class, age, and gender; and they share their insights from working in the galleries every day observing the museum and it’s visitors.
Purpose:
- Inclusion within the institution: allow the guards 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 guards with an accessible point-of-contact in the museum