A “Watershed” Model for Community Engagement in Museums

ABSTRACT

This paper delves into the intricate dynamics of trust-building between museums and community organizations, proposing a paradigm shift in understanding professional relationships, likening them to personal relationships with their inherent complexities. The authors examine the common perception of “soft skills”, as well as prevailing institutional power imbalances and financial constraints that affect the capacity for community engagement. It sheds light on the challenges faced by professionals tasked with relationship-building outside conventional office hours and spaces, calling for a reevaluation of professional norms that might hinder authentic engagement. Drawing an analogy to an ecological relationship, the authors highlight the interconnectedness of actions within communities, akin to a watershed, scrutinizing the impact museums have on their communities and downstream partners, and urging reflection on responsibilities and accountability for societal consequences. Relationships between organizations, like relationships between people are essentially organic, and often messy as they evolve and grow. The authors emphasize the need for sustained investment in effective, reciprocal community engagement beyond mere cleanup efforts. Ultimately, this argument calls upon museums to proactively address root causes, invest in robust community relationships, and revamp institutional practices to foster accountable, sustainable community partnerships.

KEYWORDS:

• Engagement
• equity
• professionalism
• community
• deference

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 City of Durham, State of Our Streams.

2 Rende et al., (2021) The Privilege of Low Pay, 430–440

3 Merritt, The Museum Sacrifice Measure.

4 Rende et al.

5 Ferguson and Dougherty, The Paradox of the Black Professional, 3–29

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Max Cawley

Max Cawley is the Director of Climate Research and Engagement at the Museum of Life and Science.

Peregrine Bratschi

Peregrine Bratschi is the Associate Program Manager for The Lab.

Imani Vincent

Imani Vincent is an Education and Engagement Fellow.

Stepheny Hine-Laverack

Stepheny Hine–Laverack is the Program Manager for Community and School Engagement.

Joan Ballista

Dr. Joan Ballista is an Education and Engagement Fellow.

Isabella Lima

Isabella Lima is an Education and Engagement Fellow.

Andrea Tejada

Andrea Tejada is an Education and Engagement Fellow. All of the authors are educators and researchers at the Museum of Life and Science, and practitioners in co–creation with community partners in our region. Many of the authors are early–career practitioners, and this work represents many of the authors' first publication.