Museum Musing

This morning we met at the Chicago History Museum and got to spend an hour exploring the exhibitions before we spoke with Elena Gonzales, the Curator of Civic Engagement (a position built just for her!). Because one hour was definitely not enough time to really take in everything I tried to see a little bit of everything to get a feel for the museum’s point of view. As a result I got to see their newest and oldest exhibits which I found really helpful. This gave me a good idea of where the museum was coming from and where it was trying to go.

Elena’s tour of the newest exhibition, Aquí en Chicago, highlighted her attention to detail and her curation style. This style, as she elaborated on later during her presentation, focuses more on the people and their stories with the objects as a vehicle. She sees her role in the ‘care’ realm of curation and that care is for the people first and objects second. This is how I view my own work! I didn’t start out to become historic trade preservationist. I am an interpreter first and practitioner of an historic trade second. I couldn’t do what I do without the people who came before me who did it or the people who come visit to see me do it now.

One of my biggest takeaways from Elena and the CHM was her comments on working at an institution in turmoil existing in a country in turmoil. I asked her how she maintains hope that her museum will become what she envisions and she voiced what I have been feeling for a while now: it’s day to day. One day you’ll be met with some kind of institutional road block, and the next you’ll have a rewarding interaction with a colleague or guest that will keep the spark alive. If she can hold on and create something as beautiful as Aquí en Chicago, then so can I.

Our second museum of the day was The Institute of Art. We met with Robin and Sam in the Ryan Learning Center. This space is another one of those totally unique museums spaces. Situated outside the admissions process, this space offers opportunities for multigenerational art experiences and learning without needing to purchase a ticket. It’s open to everyone when the museum is open. This unique space combined with their Civic Wellness workshops that focus on building observational, communication, collaboration and skills as well as empathetic thinking strategies were incredible expressions of their commitment to being a resource for their community not a hegemonic authority on all things art. I was fascinated by their Teen Council as well! This paid internship for 15 Chicago teens facilitates community building, connection to art, and provides the museum with a focus group of young people. I really wish we had something like this at my museum. Even a community advisory board would be a step in the right direction to help up build community within our city. This is definitely something we struggle with.

I could go on and on about what I saw today and my thoughts about it, but I think I’ll leave you with some images from the textile exhibition I saw at the Institute of Art focusing on how textiles can be used to deal with grief, loss, and memory.