The rochester museum and science center and community partners will provide a full-day field trip experience to the museum for third grade students as well as three public program days

The Rochester Museum and Science Center will provide anti-racism education programs for third grade students and the general public through a $108,109 project grant award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services' National Leadership Grants program (CFDA 45.312). Under the award, the Museum will deliver a full-day field trip experience for third grade students utilizing its "Take It Down" exhibit, which focuses on a community effort to remove racist artwork from a historic carousel. Museum educators and Black community activists will design activities and dialogue sessions to inspire audiences to work for change. Additionally, the Museum will host three public program days on the exhibit. The programming aims to address critical needs around advancing anti-racism practice in museums, as identified under the National Leadership Grants program. The award period is from November 1, 2021 through October 31, 2022.

The disproportionate impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the black community, combined with local events, created a new consensus around the need for systemic change to address racism. In collaboration with the take IT down planning committee of community activists and the rochester city school district, the program will utilize the "take IT down" exhibit, which tells the story of a community led effort to remove racist artwork from a historic carousel, as a tool for anti-racism education. Designed and taught by museum educators and black community activists, the program engages participants in activities and dialogue to inspire and empower audiences to work for change.