Eleventh International Conference on The Inclusive Museum

Abstract

This paper articulates a curatorial framework that combines feminist systems thinking theory (Stephens, 2013; Villeneuve & Love, 2017) with critical place-based pedagogy (Gruenewald, 2003; Graham, 2009; Love & Randolph, 2012; Love & Randolph 2013) for inclusive museum and visitor-centered exhibition development. Articulated as place narratives the combined theory and pedagogical framework ensures that voices and cultures of contemporary women artists—in this exhibition artists who work through the medium of textiles—activate exhibition spaces through visitor interaction and socially engaged understandings of how place narratives inform artistic creation. Exhibition development shares similar steps with social reconstructionist pedagogy aimed at igniting change through socially engaged activities. Likewise, feminist systems thinking theory aims to include voices from the margins to encourage change through inclusive and empowering research methods and strategies. Textiles, often created by women and reinforcing powerful place-based narratives that challenge notions of art and craft, offer the opportunity to reexamine assumptions, while stimulating and empowering future generations of artists and viewers. The artists included in this study and exhibition planning represent place narratives from the Southeastern United States, a challenging yet provoking environment for confronting historical, ecological, sociopolitical, phenomenological, and ideological change. The researchers present the curatorial framework as demonstrated through the early stages of exhibition development focused on application of the framework through an actual exhibition planning process. Session attendees are encouraged to apply or adapt the framework to their own place narratives for inclusive, visitor-centered practices in their museums.

Presenters

Ann Rowson Love
Associate Professor, Museum Education and Visitor-Centered Curation, and Liaison to The Ringling, Department of Art Education, Florida State University, United States

Tyler Law