20th November 2019, 10am-1pm, Stony Island Arts Bank
In November 2019, a small group of us based in Bradford in the UK – museum practitioners and researchers – came to Chicago with the aim of exploring the leading-edge community engagement work, participatory and co-creative practice.
The Bradford delegation have been working together on a project called Bradford’s National Museum, which has been using action research approaches to understand better how the National Science and Media Museum as a national cultural institution might develop a strong local role and to explore ways for the museum to become more open, engaged and collaborative. Chicago and Bradford have many differences. However, what they share is a need to proactively address racism, develop cross-community conversations and deal with urban regeneration in ways which engage existing communities, resist gentrification, and build community wealth. Both cities also show the potential of establishing powerful roles for museums and cultural organisations in these contexts.
We were motivated by understanding both the histories of community organising and community participation in Chicago as well as the work that is happening in the city now. In collaboration with Elory Rozner (Uncommon Classrooms), we contacted diverse organisations that have demonstrated a commitment to innovative community convening through the arts and sciences. We then invited an incredible group of people to join us for a workshop. What follows is a write up of the workshop and the key ideas that emerged that we will be taking back into our action research in Bradford.
Thanks to all who we met with during our time in Chicago and especially to Elory Rozner and Erik Peterson, who photographed the workshop.
Read the write up / Read or browse the Post Its contributions
Workshop Participants
Julia Ankenbrand, University of Leeds and British Museum
Helen Graham, University of Leeds
Nabeelah Hafeez, Bradford Stories Festival and National Literacy Trust
Regin Igloria, North Branch Projects
Guenievre Jacobucci, National Science and Media Museum
Manny Juarez, Museum of Science and Industry
Sarah Ledjmi, National Science and Media Museum
Nenette Luarca-Shoaf, Art Institute of Chicago
Faheem Majeed, Floating Museum
Ira Murfin, Chicago Humanities Festival
Erik Peterson, Smart Museum of Art (University of Chicago)
Jo Quinton-Tulloch, National Science and Media Museum
Elory Rozner, Uncommon Classrooms
Lydia Ross, Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
Jennifer Schwarz Ballard, Chicago Botanic Garden
Vanessa Sanchez, Yollocalli/NMMA
Jennifer Scott, Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
Nell Taylor, Read/Write Library
Rich Warbuton, Theatre in the Mill and University of Bradford
Lynn Wray, University of Leeds
Julie Yost, Rebuild Foundation
