The autry museum of the american west will build staff capacity to address unconscious bias across the museum, including exhibition design, collection acquisition, program offerings, and communication…

The Autry Museum of the American West received a $141,234 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Museums for America (CFDA 45.301) program. The grant will fund a three-year effort to build staff capacity at the museum to address unconscious bias across exhibition design, collection acquisition, program offerings, and public communication. The project will involve hiring expert consultants to develop and implement customized training sessions for approximately 40 museum staff, equipping them with skills to recognize and manage bias as leaders, communicators, curators, and content creators. The training will establish a common language for discussing and challenging bias, and provide actionable strategies to create more inclusive and thoughtful museum experiences. Through this project, the Autry Museum aims to become more effective in serving diverse audiences and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the American West.

The autry museum of the american west will build staff capacity to address unconscious bias across the museum, including exhibition design, collection acquisition, program offerings, and communication with the public. The project team will hire expert consultants to develop and implement customized training sessions for staff in recognizing and engaging individuals with various communication and work styles, workplace/supervisory bias, content and curatorial decision-making bias, and visitors with disabilities. In addition, approximately eight staff will be taught to facilitate these training sessions annually moving forward. The training will give employees a common language to discuss and challenge bias and equip them with actionable strategies for managing bias. Through skills-based training, the project will support staff in becoming more effective and thoughtful leaders, communicators, collaborators, curators, programmers, and content creators throughout their careers.