14.2 Decolonizing Curatorial Practices

Decolonizing curatorial practices challenges colonial legacies in museums. It dismantles power structures, centers marginalized voices, and promotes cultural equity. This shift requires rethinking how we collect, interpret, and display cultural objects.

Museums have long perpetuated colonial ideologies through their collections and displays. Decolonization strategies include centering indigenous voices, repatriating objects, and reimagining interpretation. These efforts aim to create more inclusive, equitable spaces that honor diverse cultural perspectives.

Decolonization in Curatorial Practice

Defining Decolonization in Curatorial Practice

Top images from around the web for Defining Decolonization in Curatorial Practice

• 

  File:Decolonization - World In 1945 en.svg - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Dudgeon and Walker: Decolonising Australian Psychology: Discourses, Strategies, and Practice View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Decolonization - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Decolonization - World In 1945 en.svg - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Dudgeon and Walker: Decolonising Australian Psychology: Discourses, Strategies, and Practice View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Defining Decolonization in Curatorial Practice

• 

  File:Decolonization - World In 1945 en.svg - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Dudgeon and Walker: Decolonising Australian Psychology: Discourses, Strategies, and Practice View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Decolonization - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Decolonization - World In 1945 en.svg - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Dudgeon and Walker: Decolonising Australian Psychology: Discourses, Strategies, and Practice View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Decolonization in curatorial practice critically examines and dismantles colonial legacies and power structures shaping museum collections, exhibitions, and interpretations
• Challenges dominant Western narratives, centers marginalized voices and perspectives, and promotes cultural equity and social justice
• Addresses historical injustices, promotes cultural diversity and inclusivity, and fosters meaningful engagement with communities whose histories and cultures have been misrepresented or excluded in museum contexts
• Requires a fundamental shift in curatorial authority, moving away from traditional top-down approaches and embracing collaborative, community-driven practices prioritizing the agency and self-determination of indigenous and marginalized groups

Importance of Decolonizing Curatorial Practices

• Addresses historical injustices and cultural trauma inflicted upon indigenous and marginalized communities through colonial practices in museums
• Promotes cultural diversity, inclusivity, and equity by centering marginalized voices and perspectives in curatorial decision-making and representation
• Fosters meaningful engagement and collaboration with communities whose histories and cultures have been misrepresented or excluded in museum contexts
• Challenges dominant Western narratives and knowledge systems that have perpetuated cultural misrepresentation, stereotyping, and erasure
• Contributes to the broader goal of social justice by acknowledging and redressing the ongoing impacts of colonialism and structural inequalities in cultural institutions

Colonialism's Impact on Museums

Formation and Development of Museum Collections

• Colonialism profoundly shaped the formation and development of museum collections through appropriation, looting, and unethical acquisition of cultural objects from colonized regions (Benin Bronzes, Maqdala treasures)
• Colonial expeditions and military campaigns often resulted in the mass removal of cultural objects from their original contexts, violating indigenous cultural protocols and ownership rights
• Museum collections were built on the exploitation and dispossession of colonized peoples, reflecting the power imbalances and cultural hierarchies of colonial systems
• The provenance and acquisition histories of many museum objects are deeply entangled with colonial violence, theft, and coercion, raising ethical questions about their continued presence in Western institutions

Colonial Ideologies and Representation in Museums

• Colonial ideologies and power dynamics influenced the classification, interpretation, and display of cultural objects in museums, perpetuating stereotypes, exoticization, and cultural misrepresentation
• The colonial gaze in curatorial practices privileged Western knowledge systems and aesthetic values, marginalizing or erasing indigenous and non-Western perspectives and ways of knowing
• Cultural objects were often decontextualized, presented as curiosities or trophies of colonial conquest, and interpreted through a lens of cultural superiority and otherness
• Indigenous and marginalized communities were denied agency and voice in the representation of their own cultures, histories, and identities in museum contexts
• The silencing of alternative narratives and the reinforcement of colonial hierarchies contributed to the ongoing cultural dispossession and trauma experienced by indigenous and marginalized communities

Strategies for Decolonizing Curatorial Approaches

Centering Indigenous Voices and Agency

• Decolonizing curatorial approaches require a fundamental shift in power dynamics, centering the voices, perspectives, and agency of indigenous and marginalized communities in the curatorial process
• Inclusive practices actively engage and collaborate with source communities in the interpretation, presentation, and stewardship of their cultural heritage through co-curation, community consultations, and incorporation of indigenous knowledge systems and protocols
• Participatory practices emphasize the active involvement of communities in the development of exhibitions, programs, and collections management, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment (Community Advisory Boards, Indigenous Curatorial Fellowships)
• Building long-term, reciprocal relationships with indigenous and marginalized communities based on trust, respect, and mutual benefit is crucial for sustainable decolonizing practices

Repatriation and Cultural Care

• Decolonizing strategies involve repatriating cultural objects to their communities of origin, recognizing indigenous ownership rights and cultural protocols (NAGPRA, Afo-A-Kom statue)
• Developing culturally sensitive care and conservation practices that respect indigenous knowledge systems, spiritual beliefs, and cultural practices is essential for the ethical stewardship of collections
• Creating spaces for indigenous self-representation and storytelling within the museum allows for the reclamation of cultural narratives and the assertion of cultural sovereignty (First Nations galleries, Maori exhibition spaces)
• Investing in the training, mentorship, and professional development of indigenous and marginalized curators, scholars, and cultural practitioners is crucial for building capacity and ensuring diverse representation in curatorial practices

Language and Interpretation

• Decolonizing curatorial approaches require a critical examination of the language, labels, and narratives used in exhibitions and interpretive materials, challenging colonial terminologies and promoting culturally appropriate and inclusive language
• Collaborating with indigenous and marginalized communities in the development of interpretive content ensures the accuracy, relevance, and cultural sensitivity of the information presented
• Incorporating indigenous languages, oral histories, and traditional knowledge systems in exhibitions and educational programs promotes cultural revitalization and challenges the dominance of Western epistemologies
• Providing multiple perspectives and voices in the interpretation of cultural objects and histories allows for a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of the complexities and diversities of human experiences

Decolonizing Initiatives in Museums

Legislative and Policy Frameworks

• The "Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act" (NAGPRA) in the United States mandated the repatriation of Native American cultural objects and human remains, leading to significant shifts in museum practices and relationships with indigenous communities
• The "United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples" (UNDRIP) affirms the rights of indigenous peoples to maintain, control, protect, and develop their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions, providing a framework for decolonizing practices in museums
• Institutional policies and guidelines that prioritize indigenous rights, cultural protocols, and ethical standards in collections management, exhibitions, and community engagement are essential for embedding decolonizing principles in museum practices (Protocols for Native American Archival Materials, ICOM Code of Ethics)

Institutional Case Studies

• The "Te Papa Tongarewa" museum in New Zealand pioneered a bicultural approach, integrating Māori perspectives, values, and practices into its curatorial and organizational structure, serving as a model for indigenous self-representation and cultural empowerment
• The "Inuit Art Centre" at the Winnipeg Art Gallery in Canada prioritized Inuit-led curatorial practices, centering Inuit voices and knowledge systems in the interpretation and presentation of Inuit art and culture
• The "Museum of Anthropology" at the University of British Columbia implemented collaborative and community-driven approaches to the care and interpretation of its collections, working closely with First Nations communities and following cultural protocols
• The "National Museum of the American Indian" in the United States adopted a decolonizing framework, prioritizing indigenous perspectives, cultural revitalization, and community engagement in its exhibitions and programs
• Analyzing case studies provides valuable lessons and best practices for other museums and cultural institutions seeking to decolonize their curatorial practices and build more equitable and inclusive relationships with indigenous and marginalized communities