Curating Exclusion - Analyzing the Legacy of Redlining in Contemporary Museum Spaces: Decolonizing the Gallery - Coming to Terms (Hints of Meaning) with Pedagogies of Exclusion and Spatial Segregation

Poster Session
William Gates  

“First, we shape our buildings; Thereafter they shape us.” -Winston Churchill. Buildings speak to us. They are the voices that communicate in the silent languages of spatial meaning. They are the physical manifestations that craft experiential educational space, and confront us as existential structures, questioning our identities, values, and aspirations. As educational constructs they reflect and guide our society, cultivating our culture and strengthening the bonds of communities. Museums can be a voice of commonality and gestures of peace that allow us to dwell together recognizing our differences and appreciating them. However, they can also be merchants of division that sell us stories of subjugation and supremacy. These are the stories that can perpetuate apathy & discrimination and erode our natural empathy and ability to recognize our common humanity. Museums, as repositories of knowledge and culture, hold significant influence over how art is perceived and engaged. However, this study reveals that these institutions may perpetuate narratives of whiteness and cultural hierarchy through their spatial organization and curatorial choices. Recognizing these patterns allows for a more critical examination of museum practices and their impact on marginalized communities. This study provides needed insights into the spatial racialization and oppression within art museums and by unpacking the nuanced ways in which space is utilized, and artworks are presented, contributing to a broader conversation about inclusivity and representation within cultural institutions. Understanding the role of museums as gatekeepers of knowledge is essential for dismantling racialized oppression to repair and renew our public educational spaces.