Why We Need the Getty’s Multicultural Internship Program

HYPERALLERGIC
By Linda Theung
Race and Ethnicity (Curators, Conservators, Educators and Leadership Only)
There’s a saying: “When you’re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression.” A new lawsuit by a woman named Samantha Niemann embodies this phenomenon. A closer look reveals that 84% of non-Hispanic whites dominate positions that contribute to the “intellectual and educational mission of museums,” such as directors, curators, conservators, etc. Exhibitions, education programs, public programs, and even the books being published by museums do not reflect the demographics of this country. While the missions of museums are undoubtedly good, the public is only being offered the perspective of the 84% supermajority. [link]
A chart from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s report on diversity in art museums (via mellon.org)