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  • 1.  What Happens on Nov 9? Cultural Empathy, Now More than Ever

    Posted 11-07-2016 06:28 PM

    What else can one say about this year’s presidential election? Last week, the director of the Asian Art Museum sent the following message to museum staff, reminding them—no matter what happens on Election Day—the museum’s purpose and role in the community is probably more relevant and essential than ever. Is there an opportunity for your organization to shape (healing, helping, informing, inspiring, demystifying) the national/global discussion starting on November 9? How?

    Dear Colleagues,

    Allow to me share an idea with you, something inspired by my desire to find a silver lining of meaning in the current maelstrom of the presidential campaign.

    I am deeply troubled by the messages of exclusion and prejudice surfaced across the country over recent months. Regardless of who wins next week, the echo of those deeply hurtful messages will remain.

    As a museum of Asian art, representing art and cultures of 60% of the world’s population, what role can we play in this pivotal moment for human relations? How can this museum best serve fellow Americans and citizens of the world in the face of this standoff between exclusion and prejudice, and inclusion and acceptance?

    FOR ALL

    For one, we should make it clear that the Asian Art Museum stands firmly on the side of inclusion, global consciousness, and cultural empathy. We are a museum for all. We don’t deny entry to those who don’t look like us, think like us, or act like us. Not only are our doors open to all, but we actively pursue ways to make our museum more accessible to more people. In our October staff meeting, I shared examples of these “inclusive innovations,” from wayfinding signs featuring universal symbols to digital tools offering information in multiple languages.

    CULTURAL EMPATHY

    We offer a safe place for discovery, insight and greater understanding of people; of their influences, beliefs and values. We do this through the lens of Asian art and culture. We invite all to explore the differences and the similarities between people, and between cultures, and to celebrate how these values are reflected in art from ancient times to today. Exposure and knowledge are empowering tools in countering fear of the unfamiliar or different.

    A STEP FORWARD

    Can an art museum engender kinder and more respectful human interactions? Can it foster empathy and reduce hate? I believe our museum absolutely can. I’d like to hear what you think.

    Jay

    Jay Xu, PhD

    Director and Chief Executive Officer

    Asian Art Museum

    Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art & Culture

    San Francisco, California

    Responses to Dr. Xu’s message from Asian Art Museum staff:

    From a museum educator: “Your thoughts brought tears to my eyes and I am so happy to be working for an institution that does place such a high value on inclusion and acceptance and recognizes how important the values you mention are. At my previous job, I had an African American friend who I invited to walk into the museum with me one day and he asked, "Are you sure I'm allowed to go in there?" It broke my heart. This hateful rhetoric that is going around is so harmful to all of us; I'm going to share your message with others OUTSIDE our museum, if it's okay with you.”

    From a marketing & communications staff member: “This message was a reminder of why I love to come to work here every single day, no matter how stressed out or busy we might get from time to time. I don’t think this is a mission shared by every museum, nor could it/should it be, and I’m going to save this note as a touchstone.”

    From a colleague on the development team: “In my work with our members, I am consistently blown away by their passion – not only for the museum and the artworks we present, but their passion for sharing Asian art and culture with others. Our mission of inclusivity and cultural empathy is so deeply meaningful; it’s what keeps members proudly returning year after year, often with new friends and family members in tow.”

    From a social media manager: “I am PROUD that the museum authentically brings these words to life through our work--the comments on this post are proof.”

    ------------------------------
    Tim Hallman
    Director of Communications & Business Development
    Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
    San Francisco CA
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: What Happens on Nov 9? Cultural Empathy, Now More than Ever

    Posted 11-08-2016 07:32 AM

    Hi Tim,

    Thank you for sharing this with us. I'm going to share it with our director. 

    Best,

    Amy

    ------------------------------
    Amy Mannarino
    Director of Communications and Marketing
    National Museum of Women in the Arts
    Washington DC



  • 3.  RE: What Happens on Nov 9? Cultural Empathy, Now More than Ever

    Posted 11-10-2016 09:20 AM

    I wanted so much to answer this thread yesterday with a reassuring e-mail about the country's wise decision to chose unity and empathy.  But I can't because it/we did not.  So, the museum world of the arts, history and science needs to shake off our mourning and return to our job of protecting diversity and empathy for our staffs, our audience and our communities.  

    The response so far have been wonderful, thank you all.   I will only add that museum and affiliated institutions should remember that, as well as diversity, immigration and women's rights,  the public school systems will be under fire.  Museums will need to work with teachers and provide them with with ways to keep their students' minds open.    

    ------------------------------
    Barbara Cohen-Stratyner PhD
    New York NY



  • 4.  RE: What Happens on Nov 9? Cultural Empathy, Now More than Ever

    Posted 11-08-2016 09:17 AM

    Bravo!  I have long believed that cultural institutions have a responsibility for and are uniquely positioned to reach across boundaries; to teach and to heal. 

     

    In the 1970s, while employed in my first museum job after college, I had a crisis of conscience: why am I working at an art museum when there is so much suffering in the world?  When children are starving; diseases and wars are raging unchecked; racism is rampant and our cities are burning; pollution is clogging our air and water... maybe I should put my efforts towards helping to ease the suffering instead of working in the rarified atmosphere of an elite art museum.

     

    After much discernment, I realized that without our art, history and university/college museums; historic sites and sites of conscience; and without the artifacts, documents and specimens, architecture and archaeological sites, our collective human existence would be devoid of hope and meaning. I dedicated myself to preserving both the beautiful and evidence of the horrific.

     

    I am greatly appreciative of Dr. Xu's leadership at the Asian Art Museum and that his message has been shared publicly with the wider cultural community. May we follow his initiative to work together for greater understanding, embrace difficult subjects, and continue to develop tools to accept our differences.

     

    Wendy Claire Jessup

    Conservator

    Wendy Jessup and Associates, Inc.

         Care of Cultural Property

    933 N. Kenmore Street, Suite 323

    Arlington, VA 22201

    (703) 522-2801

    www.collectioncare.com

     

     






  • 5.  RE: What Happens on Nov 9? Cultural Empathy, Now More than Ever

    Posted 11-11-2016 10:22 AM

    Last night we held An Evening in the Tavern Room public program, and I witnessed firsthand the powerful role that museums can play in our communities.  This event was originally developed over the summer as a platform for discussing the election in a historical context. However, as the campaign progressed, we decided to broaden the program and include other 19th-century tavern activities to balance our planned political discussion. After the election results, it seemed prudent to simply follow the lead of the participants. The small but diverse group was initially reserved, not seeming to want to engage in any real discussion, but as we got to know each other over a game of whist, conversation turned to the election. What evolved was an open, philosophical, and historical discussion of not just the election but our thoughts and concerns about our country.

    I want to echo what we have been hearing in the museum community this week, and offer this as an example of what can happen when we provide a safe and welcoming place for all. 

    ------------------------------
    Terri Daly
    Director
    Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden
    New York NY