There are many resources available covering all aspects of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Listed below are a selection of organisations, networks and websites offering useful resources and toolkits to the museum sector.
Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Education Trust
The 2022 research project, If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes, explored how heritage organisations engaged with anti-racism and work on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). The research encompassed both the internal workings of the organisations as well as their outward-facing activities.
AIM
Resources include the Tackling Inequalities Hallmark
Association for Art History
Anti-racism and Decolonial Approaches to Art History and Visual Culture is the Association for Art History’s resource portal containing hundreds of references arranged along subject, themes and media in eight bibliographies. It provides access to materials on anti-racist, postcolonial and decolonising art histories and is meant for anyone conducting research in those areas in art history or in visual or spatial culture.
Culture&
Culture& supports the arts and heritage sector to be more inclusive and relevant to diverse communities. They partner with institutions to develop programmes that expand audiences and open the workforce to fresh talent.
Curating for Change
Curating for Change exists to create strong career pathways for d/Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse curators. Its Trainees and Fellows are producing exhibitions, events and blogs, exploring disabled people’s histories – while gaining skills for careers in the sector.
EMBED
EMBED is cross sector equity, diversity and inclusion consultancy - sharing its know-how and lived experience with liked minded organisations in the UK and beyond. It helps organisations to implement progressive and inclusive policies and practices.
Inclusive Heritage Advice Hub
The Inclusive Heritage Advice Hub is part of Historic England’s commitment to supporting the heritage sector to become more diverse.
It contains digestible information for any organisation wishing to celebrate inclusive heritage and ensure their work is as diverse and inclusive as possible. Advice is presented through case studies, templates, checklists, guidance, and external signposting. Experts within Historic England created some of the resources, while others were commissioned externally.
Kids in Museums
Kids in Museum offers support for museums to be more welcoming and accessible for children, young people and families. This includes free online resources and online training for museum staff and freelancers.
Museum as Muck
The informal community sector support organisation now has over 800 members and provides solidarity and support for working class museum professionals across the UK, advocating for change in the sector, undertaking research and organising events where muckers can connect. Anyone who identifies as working class and works in the museum or heritage sector can join Museum as Muck.
Museum Detox
Museum Detox is a membership network for people of colour (POC) who work in museums, galleries, libraries, archives and the heritage sector.
Museums Association
Museums Association campaigns for socially engaged museums, a diverse and representative workforce and empowering and dynamic collections. Current campaigns include supporting museums to decolonise their collections and tackle racism. The campaigns include guidance and case studies.
Queer Heritage and Collections Network
The Queer Heritage and Collections Network is a UK-wide Subject Specialist Network that provides training, networking and peer support to people working with LGBTQ+ collections and histories. It supports galleries, libraries, archives and museums that are developing public programming bringing LGBTQ+ histories and themes to the fore.
Research Centre for Museums and Galleries (RCMG)
Trans-Inclusive Culture: Guidance on advancing trans inclusion for museums, galleries, archives and heritage organisations has been developed by University of Leicester’s RCMG – working with a team of legal scholars and experts in inclusion, equality and ethics. The guidance, intended primarily for anyone working with or in museums, galleries, archives and heritage, sets out an ethical framework to support cultural organisations to advance trans inclusion. It explains key components of UK law, as well as some of the limitations and complexities of the law.
SEND in Museums
SEND in Museums provides clear guidance for museum, heritage or other arts and cultural professionals, on supporting the inclusion of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Stagetext
Stagetext advocate for and provide accessible captions and subtitles, so that deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people can access creativity and culture. They offer captioning and subtitling services, training your team in deaf awareness, or to list your accessible events for free on its website.
Stonewall
Stonewall is a charity which supports and campaigns for the rights of LGBTQ+ people. Resources include creating an LGBTQ+ inclusive workplace
VocalEyes
VocalEyes offers training and consultancy services to organisations across the cultural sector to improve accessibility for blind and visually impaired audiences and participants.
Volunteer Scotland
Volunteer Scotland has top tips for Inclusive Volunteering
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