Eleventh International Conference on The Inclusive Museum

Abstract

The fiftieth anniversary of the Sexual Offences Act (1967) was marked in high profile exhibitions in 2017 at British institutions including Tate Britain, the British Museum and the Walker Art Gallery, reflecting a broader interest in queer histories within the sector internationally. Often focusing on histories and lives historically overlooked and erased by these same institutions, how today can these organisations acknowledge their role in the suppression of LGBTQ+ identities and avoid replacing one imperfect history with another? This paper will explore models for collaborative working with LGBTQ+ audiences, using the Walker’s ground-breaking exhibition Coming Out: Sexuality, Gender and Identity as a case study, with a focus on FORUM. This exhibition brought together artworks made since 1967 to reflect on the recent history of the LGBTQ+ movement and explore how ideas about sexuality, gender, and identity have changed and continue to evolve. Uniquely, the exhibition encouraged visitors to explore their own identity, using artworks as a catalyst for self-reflection. Importantly, Coming Out did not claim to be definitive or comprehensive. FORUM, located at the heart of the exhibition, sought to acknowledge institutional blinds spots and decentre the role of the institution in documenting queer histories. Left symbolically empty of artworks, FORUM recognized the LGBTQ+ artists and histories already lost, while providing a space for contemporary LGBTQ+ audiences to curate their own histories. FORUM hosted thirty-six displays and events developed in partnership with constituents, artists and activists from the LGBT+ community, reaching an audience of over 62,000 people.