Beginning with Change: Resources for Building Diversity in Museums

The articles included in this special issue of the Journal of Museum Education have illustrated the complexity of the term diversity, as well as the variety of ways museums can and have approached a recognition of and engagement with diverse audiences, communities, collections, staff, board and volunteers. As these case studies, in their mix of theory, practice, research and critical reflection illustrate, a commitment to acknowledging and developing diversity means a willingness to experiment with innovative practices, to build institutional support and to be accountable to the range of individuals and groups who make up your museum's public and the public at large. In addition to these outstanding examples, there are a number of policies, programs, and practices available upon which to model and further develop this process of deep change in your own museum. The selection of resources that follows offers a mix of frameworks for diversity planning, examples of best practices and innovative programming, as well as research, reports and theoretical essays intended to inspire and guide institutional and individual action in museums that will create more reflective, relevant and accessible public institutions.