Eleventh International Conference on The Inclusive Museum

Abstract

Alabama is a section of the country where there are over 150 museums; yet, there are only a handful of museums that are progressing towards new museum trends within the field. Keeping abreast of the latest methodologies and practices as well as implementing new changes helps keep a museum relevant to its community and to the field at large. Beyond these reasons, a museum must become progressive in order to engage in the current dialogue to encourage social justice. In a state where more social injustice has occurred than many other states in the nation, the museums of Alabama are doing themselves and their communities a disservice by being stagnant. This paper discusses the issues at the forefront of the nation that are not being discussed by the majority of Alabama museums as well as briefly discusses the museums that are embracing this shift in the museum field. The analysis is relevant to the Alabama museum community as well as the museum community at large. The conclusion focuses on the ways in which the Alabama museum community can begin to take ownership of their vital role within society and these suggestions are applicable to museums across the country.