Weaving the Tapestry of a Community: A Model for Museum Inclusion

Abstract

The focus of this study was to develop a model for multicultural inclusion in museums and other cultural institutions. The model consisted of nine steps which would assist the institution in including underrepresented groups into all aspects of its experience. Each step does not have to be completed before the next one can begin. In some instances it may actually be beneficial to undertake several of the steps concurrently. A case study of a museum inclusion program which utilized the model was documented. The subject museum was still in the midst of its inclusion program when the study was written and, as a result, there was no closure. However, it is expected and desired that any projects of this type would take an extensive period of time and would be difficult to complete for a short-range project. This leads to many opportunities for further research and additions to the literature.