Whilst in the UK I met with Jane Samuels, Access and Equality Manager at the British Museum. Jane very generously shared with me some of her experience and expertise in helping to deliver quality inclusive exhibitions and accessible programmes that exemplify best practice in providing museum experiences that allow for greater access and equality for all community groups.
The British Museum is no stranger to the issue of access and equality in museums and have gone to great lengths to make inclusive design and accessible services an integral part of program, event and exhibition development. It is clear from the onset that access and equality is at the core of everything the British Museum does.
Examples of programmes
Throne of Weapons – A British Museum Tour (see page 26 of this pdf document)
This particular project is a brilliant example of how museum collections can be used as a sound base for quality inclusion programmes and as an effective tool for invoking powerful discussion, self expression and storytelling from program participants.
The Throne of Weapons was created from AK47’s exchanged for tools and other useful items after the end of the civil war in Mozambique in 1992. This work demonstrates the power of art and its ability to transform symbols of destruction and warfare into symbols of peace and unity. This project illustrates an innovative way for museums and galleries to reach out to groups who otherwise may not be able to connect with or have felt comfortable in connecting with cultural institutions. The British Museum used this piece from their collection as a catalyst for prisoners from Pentonville Prison, London to open up and share their experiences and relationship to gun crime. The result a poignant series of text, photography and film that illustrates that given the right opportunity and supportive environment a group of offenders can expose themselves in a profoundly vulnerable way and exhibit a deep level of engagement.
Measures of success
I think there is only so much that quantitative analysis can do in terms of reflecting the success of a program. Anecdotal evidence is also extremely valuable in providing evidence that justifies why we should provide inclusive programmes and directing the development and delivery of future programmes.
Jane explained to me in the case of prison based projects the transient nature of inmates and privacy restrictions makes it difficult to track the progress made by individual participants. However stories of participants contacting the British Museum after the completion of the Pentoville prison program and expressions of gratitude for being invited to participate provides a strong indication that many positive outcomes were reached.
How is the British Museum making access & equality part of its core business
As the Access and Equality manager Jane is involved with exhibition design from the get go. Elements of inclusive design are such an integral part of exhibition, program , event development and gallery process at the British Museum. Such considerations are considered mainstream practice and embedded in day to day operations.
Examples of elements of inclusive design and Access services in exhibition programmes
- Braille and tactile image books.
- Appropriate lighting in showcases. This has to be balanced with object conservation considerations.
- Appropriate text size, font and colour contrast in order to maintain maximum readability.
- Large print books
- BSL interpreted talks
- Audio description for blind audiences
- Handling sessions for blind audiences
Check out more about the British Museum @
http://www.britishmuseum.org/
