Open Forum

How Do Museums Resist?

Friday, June 6, 2025

1:00 p.m. ET

Don't miss this important panel discussion. Register now.

Museums today are facing a multifaceted crisis-grappling with funding cuts, staff reductions, and the rollback of DEI initiatives. Compounding these challenges are external pressures from government executive orders that call into question the very narratives and missions at the heart of our institutions.

In this climate, continuing our work is not just necessary-it is a form of resistance. Yet, we believe it is equally vital to engage more deeply with these issues. This webinar will explore the following questions:

• Does the current extraordinary situation demand equally extraordinary responses from museums?

• Can museum leaders respond to the increasing tensions within their workforce and are they prepared to demonstrate their support for employees? What concrete actions can they take?

• Do all museum boards fully endorse the current executive orders? How can museum leaders effectively garner board support for collective resistance?

• Has the meaning of "serving the community" evolved? Should museums broaden their scope to actively support communities facing challenges such as the loss of social services and threats of deportation?

We aim to facilitate discussion among museum leaders and observers to generate practical and feasible strategies for the field to collectively resist these pressures. The panel will be moderated by Walter Staveloz, founder and president of MuseumExpert.org. 

Panelists:

Neil Barclay

CEO, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit

Barclay formerly led the Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans. He previously served as associate director of the Performing Arts Center, University of Texas at Austin, and is the founding president and CEO of Pittsburgh's August Wilson Center. He is board chair of South Arts, the nation's regional arts organization for nine southern states and serves on the board of New York-based Independent Curator's International.

Gretchen Jennings

Museum Consultant and founder of Museums Act Together Substack

Jennings has worked in and with museums for over 40 years. She was a project director on traveling exhibitions Psychology and Invention at Play, both of which received AAM awards of excellence. She was editor in chief of The Journal of Museum Education and Exhibition. She is a founder of the Empathetic Museum project and a member of the MASSAction initiative.

Ann Burroughs

CEO, Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles 

An internationally recognized leader in the field of human rights and social justice, Burroughs is the past chair of Amnesty International's Global Assembly and formerly chaired the board of directors of Amnesty International USA. She has previously served as executive director of the Taproot Foundation and as the executive director of LA Works, and has worked as a consultant to the Omidyar Network, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the government of South Africa.

Stephanie Brown

Assistant Program Director, Senior Lecturer in Museum Studies, Johns Hopkins University

Brown has worked in and around museums for 25 years. Her museum work has ranged from designing and implementing collections plans, to curating exhibitions, to institutional strategic planning. She has served as executive director of the Chevy Chase Historical Society and as associate curator for American Material Culture and Historian at Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens.

Barry Joseph

Director, Brooklyn Seltzer Museum

Founder of Barry Joseph Consulting where he innovates solutions for learning in a digital age, Joseph has 25-plus years expertise in digital engagement in the non-profit sector. He is currently an adjunct instructor at New York University's Learning Technology and Experience Design graduate program.