Abstract
I Am Matriarch is an open-access platform that reimagines museum storytelling through AI-powered, feminist, and decolonial design. As the founder and matriarch of this initiative, I explore how cross-institutional, multilingual narratives can restore ancestral presence and disrupt exclusionary systems of cultural heritage. This work addresses critical gaps in digital humanities: colonial metadata, the absence of women’s voices, and the ethical limitations of AI in public archives. Through co-curation, inclusive tagging, and narrative tools, the platform empowers educators, curators, and students to build collaborative stories that span collections and cultures. I Am Matriarch builds new bridges—between institutions, generations, and epistemologies—by aligning cultural equity with technological innovation. It is also a replicable framework for ethical AI in the global arts and education sectors. This paper outlines the project’s strategy, pedagogy, and phased implementation roadmap, rooted in a matriarchal model of leadership that values care, legacy, and radical visibility. Grounded in Social and Community Studies, Cultural Studies, and Communication, I Am Matriarch exemplifies interdisciplinary action at the intersection of storytelling, justice, and infrastructure.
Presenters
Andrea FernandezVisiting Assistant Professor / Project Director, I Am Matriarch, History of Art and Design, The Pratt Institute, New York, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Cultural Studies, Communication, Technology, Inequality, Social Justice
