29 Jan 2019
Ethnic and gender diversity increasing at art museums in the US
BY Luke Cloherty
A new survey published by The Andrew W Mellon Foundation, the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD), the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and Ithaka S+R has found that US art museum staff have become more racially and ethnically diverse since 2015.
It's the second survey conducted by the alliance of organisations, led by the Andrew W Mellon Foundation, into racial and gender representation in American art museums and was carried out in 2018.
The survey found that, among AAMD member repeat participants, the percentage of African-American curators has doubled from 2 per cent in 2015 to 4 per cent in 2018, meaning that 21 new African-Americans have joined such institutions.
In addition, the percentage of women in museum leadership positions has increased by five points from 57 per cent in 2015 to 62 per cent in 2018. Women make up 60 per cent of the total museum staff surveyed.
Since the 2015 survey, the number of staff in intellectual leadership positions who are white dropped by 9 points to 73 per cent, down from 84 per cent in 2015.
Approximately 430 people of colour were hired in 2018 into intellectual leadership positions, meaning 20 per cent of those positions are now held by people of colour.
In 2018, 12 per cent of museum leadership positions were held by people of colour, a one-point increase from 11 per cent in 2015.
"This second demographic survey of art museums offers a snapshot of change that is overdue, slow, but also real and welcome," said Mariët Westermann, executive vice president of the Andrew W Mellon Foundation.
"These results show that diverse hiring is entirely possible and needed and they encourage all of us to do more to realise that potential.
“The Mellon Foundation looks forward to continuing to work with our many partners across the field on the great task of making American art museums representative and inclusive of the rich diversity of our country."
Christine Anagnos, executive director of AAMD added: "It is gratifying to see that some small changes have taken place over the previous three years.
“Looking forward, these studies are valuable resources to continue pursuing the changes that will be necessary if US art museums are to reflect and address the increasing diversity of the American people."
Meanwhile, Laura Lott, AAM president and CEO said: "Enhancing diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in museums is a key strategic priority for the entire field. We are encouraged by this progress, but we know museum leaders can and must do more.”
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