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  • 1.  Looking for examples of family-focused tolerance programs

    Posted 11-17-2016 11:16 PM

    In light of the strong post-election partisan feelings that continue to polarize our country, we're interested in examples of museum programs that would be suitable to help parents engage their children in discussions of how to deal with people who are different in terms of race, religion, political views, sexual orientation, or any other attribute that can lead to exclusion or persecution.  Can you recommend examples of museums that offer, on an ongoing basis, opportunities for families that include not only exhibitions, but also actor/interpreter performances and/or facilitated discussions?  Thanks in advance -- this seems like a much-needed resource right now.

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    Joseph Klem
    Director, Public Relations
    American Alliance of Museums
    Arlington VA
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  • 2.  RE: Looking for examples of family-focused tolerance programs

    Posted 11-18-2016 09:45 AM

    Hello

    in Madison over the last few years we have been doing a series of parent talks called "challenging conversations: how to talk to your child about Race and Privelege and also on Gender and Identity. We set up speakers panelist trained facilitators and we are now in planning to do another session in light of the recent uptick in hostility.  Many of our presenters and staff are trained in racial justice and other facets of equity diversity inclusion 

    I would welcome any resources as well to build from. I'm looking to reach out to Jewish-Muslim coalition groups  for guidance to

    thamk you

    sandra

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    Sandra Bonnici
    Madison Children's Museum
    Madison WI

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Looking for examples of family-focused tolerance programs

    Posted 11-21-2016 12:34 PM

    We've had an ongoing job training program for (primarily) refugee women. They learn how to work in local childcares and to use their traditional songs on the job. The program has expanded to have graduates of this program act as song coaches, and work with early childhood classrooms, teaching about their songs and their cultures. This has helped us make extraordinary strides in educating the general population about the diversity we've got and got everyone singing lots of great songs in Arabic, Swahili, Spanish, and Nepali. We use the songs here at the Museum as a regular part of tours, too, as school age kids, too, find them fun and fascinating. 

    The songs also have been great ambassadors of culture for teacher trainings, too. They are charming, disarming, and help bring down defenses and allow for conversation and learning about diversity and culture.

    We've got a CD (kind of a "greatest hits"...36 songs pulled from the 90+ we've collected) available. All the songs are sung in the native language (by a native speaker) and also sung in English.  http://erieartmuseum.org/old-songs-new-opportunities/

    We don't have a neat little curriculum to trot out, but I'd be happy to discuss our program more if you are interested. I'd love to be able to replicate it in other communities!

    Sincerely,

    Kelly

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    Kelly Armor
    Education Director
    Erie Art Museum
    Erie PA
    folkart@erieartmuseum.org

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Looking for examples of family-focused tolerance programs

    Posted 11-26-2016 12:21 PM

    The American Anthropological Association has a traveling exhibit called "Race: Are we so different?"

    When on exhibit, they usually have people who can help lead discussions. 

    Link to the exhibit

    RACE: Are We So Different? - Learn and Teach

    Terilee Edwards-Hewitt

    terilee.hewitt@alexandriava.gov

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    Terilee Edwards-Hewitt
    Museum Aide
    Office of Historic Alexandria
    Alexandria VA

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Looking for examples of family-focused tolerance programs

    Posted 11-28-2016 09:11 AM

    In Virginia, I suggest contacting the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, in Richmond (www.inclusiveva.org). Their mission (from their website) is to "...work[s] with schools, businesses, and communities to achieve success through inclusion." They have programs for a variety of audiences (primarily high schools, but also with businesses, colleges and universities, and communities) that focus on diversity and inclusion and overcoming prejudice.

    The president and CEO is Jonathan Zur, who I am sure would be happy to talk further with you about specific programs that might be transferable to a museum setting.

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    Martha Katz-Hyman
    Curator
    Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
    Williamsburg VA

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Looking for examples of family-focused tolerance programs

    Posted 11-28-2016 09:59 AM

    The Children's Museum of Indianapolis has a an exhibit called The Power of Children that uses a variety of techniques,including actor/interpreters to engage families in discussions about tolerance. The week after the election they released an online pamphlet of resources to help families with discussions round the election and tolerance. 

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    Tricia O'Connor
    Museum Consultant
    Port Clinton OH

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Looking for examples of family-focused tolerance programs

    Posted 11-29-2016 12:12 PM
    As a compliment to the RACE: Are We So Different? exhibition now on long-term view at The Science Museum of Minnesota, we offer a live theater presentation called "Race to the Finish Line" to both the general public and to school groups. The 15-minute play focuses on two business partners who see their friendship start to fracture as they discuss the topic of race for the first time. The play is followed by a facilitated conversation lead by the actors.  If anyone would like more information, please contact Stephanie Long, Director of Science Live, at slong@smm.org.
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    Joseph Imholte
    Director of Public Programs & Special Exhibits
    Science Museum of Minnesota
    Saint Paul MN

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Looking for examples of family-focused tolerance programs

    Posted 12-03-2016 11:00 AM

    "The Many Colors of Islam" traveling exhibit is available and perfect for teaching tolerance about Islam to North American families. The exhibit uses artwork and stories from children in Indonesia (the world's largest Muslim democracy) to illustrate our common humanity while demonstrating the individual and diverse characteristics that make their culture unique. It's a powerful exhibit that has been used in the past at children's museums, art institutions and in schools as a way to foster discussions about Islam with children and their families, and specifically to discover similarities between cultures.

    This compact, easy-to-install art exhibit is also a great way to engage with - and build bridges into - your local Muslim community. Please let me know if you would like more information.

    Thanks!  

    Anissa J. Paulsen, Curator (anissa_joy@yahoo.com)

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    Anissa Paulsen
    Victoria BC

    Original Message