In recent months, many businesses have taken steps to increase their inclusivity. The death of George Floyd has been seen as a catalyst for change, and many world-renowned organisations have come under fire for a lack of racial diversity throughout the businesses core. One of the most famous institutions in New York, the Guggenheim Museum, has laid out its plans to tackle the issues of racial diversity.
The museum has unveiled the plans as part of a two-year initiative to create policies for reporting discrimination, according to museum director Richard Armstrong. In an effort to diversify the workforce, the new measures will include paid internships for those from underrepresented backgrounds, partnerships with historically black colleges and universities, and the creation of a professional network for people of colour working within art organisations. A subcommittee will also assess whether changes need to be made to help diversify the board of the museum.
The news comes after nearly 100 current and 100 former employees set the trustees of the museum a letter entitled ‘A Better Guggenheim.’ The letter claimed that bosses at the museum have created a “culture of institutionalised racism.”
“This plan shows a greater sensitivity toward respect,” said Armstrong. “It means there will be a bigger front door, providing more opportunities for a variety of people to imagine working in museums as a sustainable career path.”
In addition to these changes, the museum’s collection and exhibitions will aim to showcase underrepresented identities and artists as well. The Guggenheim plans to acquire more works from Black, Latinx, and Indigenous artists, and will study its own history of exhibitions and seek to curate a program to help elevate marginalised groups. The plan also calls for antiracism training to be undertaken by all staff, beginning this autumn.
The plan has landed at a time where the Guggenheim is expecting to face a $15 million deficit for the year, due to the coronavirus. The institution has had to reallocate funds, and has sought new contributors in order to implement the measures that have been outlined in the plan.
