Centering Equity
Centering Equity is an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant-funded initiative that enables the California Association of Museums (CAM) to focus on collaborating with and providing resources for underrepresented museum workers throughout the state of California. CAM has been able to identify three groups as underrepresented and under supported through multiple demographic surveys and focus groups. The three groups are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) museum workers, emerging museum professionals (EMPs) and museum workers in rural locations. Those who identify with any of these groups often receive limited resources and/or are the most affected when uncertainty occurs in the field. For definitions of these groups, please see our Equity Toolkit.
Centering Equity will address a critical need in the museum field to cultivate museums that are more diverse, more relevant, and better prepared to authentically address these same significant concerns in California’s communities. The initiative will result in new models for other service organizations or associations to better serve underrepresented museum professionals. Furthermore, Centering Equity will address goals two and three directly from CAM’s Equity Action Plan.
CENTERING EQUITY PROGRAMMING
Over the next few years, CAM will be hosting four learning opportunities through this initiative. This includes roundtable discussions, multiple workshop series, in person networking opportunities, and an online community platform. Each one of these programs are designed to be a resource for those who need it. Our roundtable discussions and workshop series will address DEAI head on in different ways, whether that's the perspective of the collections department or the front line staff. We aim to provide diversity in our programs so that our entire community is supported. This page will be constantly updated as new program opportunities arise.
Roundtable Discussions
Roundtable Discussions are highly participatory programs in a small group setting that focus on sharing ideas on a specific topic. They feature only one facilitator who introduces the topic and leads the discussion. These roundtable discussions are for senior managers, including directors, and serve as a space for discussion and learning. Want to learn more? Check out our upcoming roundtables.
Workshops
These workshops will help museum professionals across the state understand the systems of exclusion and racism they must address to meet their full potential, both within their museums and in serving their communities. These workshops are professional development workshops for California museum professionals of all levels. Check out our upcoming workshops.
If you have any questions, please email CAM's Community Engagement Manager Tiona Lyons-King at [email protected].