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Process & Strategy
My journey towards creating an effective DEAI policy began with my participation in the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) 'Facing Change' initiative program. This program provided a comprehensive platform for understanding, designing, and implementing DEAI-centered programs and initiatives in a museum setting.
The first step in this process was a thorough internal audit of the museum's existing policies, practices, and culture to identify areas that required improvement or transformation. This introspective review, combined with active feedback from staff, volunteers, and our community, allowed for an accurate understanding of where we stood regarding diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
Based on these findings, we then moved to the design phase of the DEAI policy. This phase involved setting clear, measurable goals and objectives that align with the values and mission of MOLAA. These were carefully structured to encompass all aspects of the museum’s work, including governance, hiring practices, exhibits, education, community outreach, and overall visitor experience.
Creating our DEAI policy was an iterative process, with each draft being reviewed and refined based on extensive discussions with museum stakeholders. This collaborative and transparent process ensured the policy's relevance and effectiveness. MOLAA's Board reviewed and approved the DEIA initiative and policies on December 2021.
Finally, to ensure the longevity and success of the DEAI policy, we also set up a Task Force to oversee its implementation, evaluate progress, and recommend necessary adjustments. This commitment to constant evaluation and improvement underscores MOLAA’s dedication to upholding DEAI principles.
The DEAI policy's creation was not just a strategic move to enhance the museum's ability to serve its community better, secure grants, and maintain AAM reaccreditation. It was also a testament to our commitment to cultural diversity, inclusivity, and equity and the value these principles bring to our museum and the communities we serve.
Areas of Impact
Mission Fulfillment: Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) are fundamental to MOLAA's mission of celebrating Latin American and Latinx art and culture. DEAI helps us ensure that we represent a comprehensive spectrum of experiences and perspectives, allowing us to fully showcase the richness and diversity within Latin American and Latinx communities.
Community Engagement: DEAI is essential for deepening our engagement with the community we serve. By promoting these principles, we can ensure that our museum is not only accessible but also welcoming and representative of the community's diversity. This helps build stronger connections, foster mutual understanding, and ensure our museum remains relevant to our audience's needs.
Grants and Funding: Many funding bodies prioritize organizations that firmly commit to DEAI. By implementing and upholding these principles, we enhance its eligibility for a broader range of grants and funding opportunities. This financial support is crucial for expanding its programs, collections, and outreach activities.
AAM Reaccreditation: The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) values DEAI highly in its accreditation process. MOLAA's demonstration of its commitment to these principles played a crucial role in earning and maintaining its AAM accreditation, which attests to its professional standards and ethics, increased its credibility, and amplified its potential for collaboration with other accredited institutions.
Workforce Development: DEAI is vital to creating an inclusive, vibrant, and productive working environment. It helps us attract and retain diverse talents within its staff, fostering creativity and innovation. This broad range of perspectives enables us to approach challenges with fresh eyes and enhances our problem-solving capabilities.
Exhibitions and Collections: DEAI initiative informed the public of its approach to exhibitions and collections. It pushes the museum to feature underrepresented artists and narratives and ensures that the stories MOLAA tells through art are diverse, inclusive, and reflective of the communities it serves. This enriches our museum's offerings and broadens our audience's understanding of Latin American and Latinx art and culture.
Educational Programs: By integrating DEAI principles into its educational programs, we ensured that learning opportunities were accessible and relevant to all, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities. This commitment helped fulfill MOLAA's educational mission and contributed to a more inclusive, understanding, and culturally aware society.
Ongoing DEAI Task Force and Reporting Mechanisms
To ensure the effective implementation and continuous progress of the Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) policy at the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA), an ongoing DEAI Task Force was established. The Task Force monitors, evaluates, and improves DEAI efforts across all areas of the museum's operations.
The DEAI Task Force comprises representatives from various departments within the museum. Its role is to conduct regular audits of the museum's DEAI initiatives, programs, and policies. This includes reviewing hiring and promotion practices, exhibitions, education programs, and community engagement efforts to ensure alignment with DEAI principles.
The Task Force's ongoing work is designed to identify areas of improvement, facilitate discussions around diversity and inclusion, and develop actionable strategies to overcome any identified challenges. It actively seeks feedback and insights from staff members, volunteers, and visitors to ensure a variety of perspectives are considered.
Alongside these responsibilities, the DEAI Task Force is also accountable for regularly reporting DEAI advancements within MOLAA. On a semi-annual basis, the Task Force prepares comprehensive reports documenting the progress of the DEAI initiative. These reports encompass specific data, including demographic statistics, program participation rates, and other relevant indicators that reflect the effectiveness of the DEAI policy.
These regular reports are submitted to the Museum’s leadership team and Board of Directors. Ultimately, the ongoing task force and reporting process ensure that MOLAA remains committed to its DEAI policy, fostering an environment where everyone in the community feels welcomed, represented, and valued.