Art museums are often seen as institutions dedicated to the preservation and celebration of art. However, it is crucial to acknowledge and analyze the historical development and social construction of art museums as cultural institutions that have served global colonization and contributed to the construction and maintenance of whiteness. For centuries, art collections in museums have been curated and displayed to reflect the tastes and values of the dominant, often white, elite. This selective presentation of art has reinforced certain narratives while marginalizing others, perpetuating a Eurocentric perspective that prioritizes white voices and stories.

Understanding the role of art museums in the construction and maintenance of whiteness requires a critical examination of the collections they house, the narratives they promote, and the audiences they cater to. For example, many art museums originated from collections amassed during periods of colonial expansion, where artifacts and artworks were often looted or acquired through unequal power dynamics. These collections not only reflect the colonial mindset of the time but also continue to shape perceptions of non-Western cultures and their artistic contributions.

To navigate art museums today with an anti-racist approach, it is essential to interrogate the power dynamics at play within these institutions and advocate for more inclusive and diverse narratives. This can be achieved through reevaluating collection policies, amplifying marginalized voices, and engaging with communities to ensure that the stories being told are representative of a multiplicity of perspectives. By challenging the traditional framework of art museums and advocating for equity and social justice, we can work towards transforming these institutions into spaces that actively resist and dismantle structures of colonialism and whiteness, fostering a more inclusive and equitable art world for all.

Key Lesson Concepts:

• The development and social construction of art museums.
• How cultural institutions have served global colonization.
• How art museums have contributed to the construction and maintenance of white-male partriarchy.

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Examine the art museum's role in European imperialism and its construction and continued maintenance of race, particularly whiteness.
• Develop new ways to think about art objects and the institutions that hold them.
• Understand colonization as the impetus behind many museum collections.
  

Learning Activities

This week's activities include the following:

Reading & Video: By delving into the origins of art museums and their collections, we can uncover the ways in which these institutions have been complicit in upholding systems of oppression and privileging whiteness. This lesson begins with the "Introduction" of The Whole Picture where author Alice Procter asks us to question everything we think we know about the museum collections we enjoy so much. Specifically, she challenges us to consider the ways that traditional museums like the British Museum & The Louvre built their collections. Additionally, episode 9 of John Oliver's HBO series Last Week Tonight, unpacks the sordid realities of antiquity collections and flips the art of collecting on its head with Kumail Ali Nanjiani's concept of the Payback Museum.

Writing Assignment: This is designed for you to think and reflect on what you're learning, how you're learning, and the significance of what you're learning. Thus, the assignment asks you to compare & contrast Procter & Oliver's arguments, while considering the effectiveness of humor.

Quiz: A short quiz is included in this lesson to test your retention of key terms, concepts, and the authors' primary arguments.

Discussion Board: The discussion prompt for this lesson asks you to express your reaction & thoughts about Nanjiani's Payback Museum